White House Renews Attack on Harvard once more.
Withdrawn: Trump Administration Seeks Enhanced Visa Scrutiny for Harvard Applicants
In a new development, the Trump administration has reportedly ordered a review of the online activities of individuals applying for a visa to study at Harvard University. These increased checks are not limited to students, but extend to researchers and guest speakers, according to CNN and the online publication "Politico."
The U.S. Department of State has directed U.S. embassies and consulates to begin this process immediately. The review, referred to as a "comprehensive screening of online presence," aims to identify applicants with a history of antisemitism, among other matters.
Consulate staff will scrutinize applicants who have no online presence or have set their social media profiles to private, as this could indicate evasive behavior and call their credibility into question.
The focus on Harvard University may signal the start of a wider crackdown on international students at U.S. universities. The administration has previously expressed discontent with Harvard's resistance to far-reaching demands and cut billions in funding. It also seeks to prevent the university from admitting international students.
Despite ongoing litigation, the Trump administration continues to argue that universities like Harvard are not taking enough action against pro-Palestinian protests and tolerating antisemitic incidents on campus.
These changes are part of an ongoing trend of heightened scrutiny of international students under the Trump administration, which has intensified in recent years. The additional vetting is expected to potentially delay student visa processing due to increased resource requirements.
The Commission, in light of the ongoing trend of heightened scrutiny of international students, might be asked to propose a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical substances in the education-and-self-development sector, given the politicization of universities and the potential for antisemitic incidents. On a broader note, the general news also covers the political dimensions of the Trump administration's decisions, such as the increased scrutiny of visa applicants to study at Harvard University and the potential impact on other universities.
