TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The conflict between United States President Donald Trump and Harvard University has been escalating since 2023. It reached its peak on May 22, 2025, when Trump barred foreign students from enrolling at Harvard.
Trump revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program authorization, effectively halting the admission of new international students.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the administration was “holding Harvard accountable for actions inciting violence, antisemitism, and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” Harvard described the move as “unlawful” and “retaliatory.”
The following is a timeline of the dispute, as reported by Al Jazeera:
October 2023
The tension began in October 2023 during the Israel–Gaza conflict. Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, including at Harvard, drew sharp criticism. Harvard President Claudine Gay gave a controversial testimony before Congress, which led to her resignation. Alan Garber was appointed as her successor in August 2024.
January 2024
Trump was re-elected President of the United States and took office in January 2023. He signed several executive orders targeting diversity programs and “woke” ideology in universities. The administration also launched a special task force to combat antisemitism.
February 2025
In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice formed a task force to investigate the root causes of antisemitic violence in schools and universities.
March 7, 2025
On March 7, the government cut $400 million in funding to Columbia University and issued warnings to other schools, including Harvard. Columbia complied with federal demands by adopting new policies. Harvard, in contrast, refused to meet the administration’s requirements, which included restructuring campus leadership, reforming admissions, and eliminating diversity programs. By late March, tensions rose as the government began scrutinizing Harvard’s contracts and major grants.
April 11, 2025
On April 11, Harvard received an official letter stating it had failed to meet federal standards and must implement various changes. Harvard President Alan Garber responded, saying, “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
Despite this, federal pressure intensified. The government froze funding, threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and demanded data on foreign student activities deemed “illegal and violent.”
April 21, 2025
Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government, accusing it of violating the First Amendment. Although Harvard submitted the requested data on April 30, the details were not disclosed.
Early May 2025
In early May, the Trump administration announced it would cut all new federal grants to Harvard. It also threatened to use the False Claims Act to investigate the university’s diversity programs.
May 22, 2025
On May 22, the federal government officially revoked Harvard’s authorization to enroll international students. Harvard responded firmly, stating, “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably.”
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