The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it will investigate Harvard University as a sponsor organization of the Exchange Visitor Program to determine if it violates visa regulations and poses a threat to national security. The program primarily issues J-1 visas to foreign students, scholars, and researchers visiting the US for exchange purposes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that institutions participating in the program “must fully comply with regulations, including not engaging in any activities that undermine US foreign policy or jeopardize national security.” He stressed that “the American people have the right to expect universities in their country to uphold national security, abide by the law, and provide a safe environment for all students.”
Rubio pointed out that the investigation aims to ensure that the visa program led by the State Department “serves the national interest.”
Harvard University criticized the move as “further retaliation against the institution, violating its First Amendment rights,” emphasizing its commitment to continue recruiting and supporting international scholars and students while complying with relevant regulations.
The J-1 visa requires exchange visitors to return to their home country after their stay in the US, and some holders may need to reside in their home country for at least two years before applying for other US visas.
This is one of the recent measures by the Trump administration targeting Harvard. Previously, the government had canceled multiple research grants to Harvard for insufficient response to campus antisemitism issues and warned of possible revocation of the school’s international student visa certification, as well as further scrutiny of its federal funding sources under civil rights laws.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also stated that a subpoena had been issued to Harvard requesting information related to student visa reviews.
According to Harvard’s statistics, approximately one-quarter of its students are international students. President Trump has repeatedly criticized US higher education institutions for being influenced by “radical leftists” and “antisemitic sentiments,” emphasizing that federal funding should be tied to institutional compliance.
On the same day, the Department of Education also announced investigations into five universities for alleged nationality discrimination, including the University of Louisville, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Miami, University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University. The investigations aim to clarify whether these schools unlawfully provide scholarships only to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and undocumented immigrant students.