By Charles Pemu 
In a dramatic escalation of its crackdown on foreign students, the U.S. government has suspended the processing of student and exchange visas following an order signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The directive, part of a broader policy shift under President Donald Trump’s administration, comes amid rising tensions over student protests against the war in Gaza and a growing confrontation with Harvard University.
The suspension halts all new student and exchange visa appointments until further notice, as detailed in a diplomatic cable obtained by AFP. This move follows the revocation of hundreds of student visas and increased scrutiny of international applicants’ social media activity. The White House has accused some student protesters of supporting Hamas and is linking visa status to expressions of political dissent.
Harvard University, a primary target of the administration’s ire, faces mounting pressure after Trump moved to revoke its ability to enroll international students and announced plans to cancel federal contracts worth an estimated $100 million. The university, which has already seen billions in grants frozen, is fighting back with legal action to block the measures and preserve its status as a participant in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Tuesday’s protest on Harvard’s campus drew hundreds of students rallying against the policies. Amid graduation week ceremonies, students held signs condemning Trump and voiced support for affected international classmates. Many expressed fear and uncertainty over the potential deportation or forced transfer of foreign students.
Speaking on Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s shift in funding, arguing that taxpayer money should support vocational and state schools that “promote American values” rather than elite institutions offering “LGBTQ graduate majors.”
Legal scholars suggest the administration’s aggressive actions may not withstand judicial scrutiny. “The legal challenges against these executive overreaches are strong,” said Ray Brescia of Albany Law School. “Higher courts are unlikely to let such sweeping violations of academic freedom and due process stand.”
Nonetheless, the Trump administration appears undeterred. The president has labeled some foreign students as “radicalized lunatics” and “troublemakers,” vowing to prevail in what has become a highly public political and cultural showdown. Harvard alumni have also joined the fray, with lawsuits and fundraisers underway to defend the university’s autonomy and support displaced students.
The situation remains fluid ahead of a key court hearing scheduled for Thursday, the same day as Harvard’s commencement. All eyes are now on the judiciary to determine whether the administration’s hardline policies will hold—or be rolled back in what many see as an unprecedented challenge to the foundations of U.S. higher education.