| Donald Trump’s new attack on Harvard takes aim at a federal law that keeps foreign students from coming to the U.S. to study at the campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
Thirty years ago, only 11% of Harvard's students were from other countries. Now that number has jumped to 26%. Like many top U.S. universities, Harvard has been attracting talented students from around the globe for a while now.
But with this rise in international students, colleges are facing new challenges from President Trump. He’s started using his power over immigration to push for changes in American higher education. Recently, he aimed his latest criticism at Harvard, trying to prevent foreign students from coming to study in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This move only targets Harvard, and the university has already filed a legal complaint against it. Still, Trump's actions could affect other colleges that he sees as too liberal. This has created some tension on campuses under federal watch, like Columbia University, where 40% of the students are from abroad.
Last week, as Trump’s administration tightened its review process for student visas, some Columbia faculty and alumni expressed worries about the risks involved. The Stand Columbia Society shared their concerns in a newsletter, emphasizing that Columbia is particularly vulnerable to these sudden changes.
Ivy League Colleges Have Many Students from Other Countries
In 2023, about 6% of all college students in the US were from other countries. But in the Ivy League schools, that number jumps to 27%, according to an analysis by the Associated Press using Education Department data. Columbia topped the list with 40%, followed closely by Harvard and Cornell, around 25%, while Brown had the lowest at 20%.
Rajika Bhandari, who runs a higher education consulting firm, noted that as middle-class families have grown in other countries, more can now afford test prep and guidance to get into the Ivy League.
She mentioned, “The Ivy League brand is really strong overseas, especially in places like India and China, where families care a lot about top schools in the US and elsewhere. Over the last 20 years, she explained that US universities have come to see the benefits of bringing in international students, as it helps bring in money that supports US students and keeps enrollment strong in subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math.
Rapid Rise in Demand for Higher Education
American universities have been bringing in foreign students for years, but things really picked up after 2008, especially with a surge of Chinese students heading to the U.S. It was like a “gold rush,” as William Brustein, who helped several universities expand internationally, puts it.
Brustein notes that whether a school was private or public, they needed to show off how global they were. A big reason behind this push was financial; foreign students often don't qualify for financial aid and pay way more in tuition compared to domestic students. Plus, universities were keen on boosting their global rankings by enrolling more international students.
While some prestigious schools like Harvard do provide financial aid to foreign students, those who get into these top universities are usually able to cover the high tuition fees. But, the growth in international enrollment isn’t the same across all types of colleges.
Public universities often feel pressure from state lawmakers to limit foreign students so more spots are available for locals. Private schools don’t have to deal with that kind of pressure.
Supporters argue that foreign students bring a lot to universities and the U.S. economy. They contribute billions, and many eventually end up working in areas like tech, where there’s a high demand for skilled professionals. A lot of these international students choose to study in STEM fields.
Increase in International Students in Ivy League Schools
Trump's Move on Foreign Students and Harvard's Response
Recently, Donald Trump suggested that Harvard should limit its international student count to about 15%. In reaction, Harvard strongly condemned his latest policy that barred international students from coming to the U.S. for school, calling it illegal and a retaliatory move that violates its First Amendment rights.
In a related legal battle against Trump's earlier efforts to restrict foreign students at Harvard, the university stood firm. They argued that bringing in international students has come from years of planning to attract top talent globally. Harvard pointed out that blocking these students from getting visas would hurt its goals and image.
