Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

After Trump's Harvard ban, China invites students with offers

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 26 May 2025 15:58
4 Min Read

Harvard faces legal and political turmoil after Trump revokes its ability to admit foreign students, but China responds with open offers.

Listen
  • x
  • Students walk through Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass (AP)
    Students walk through Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP)

The Trump administration has moved to block Harvard University from enrolling international students for the 2025–2026 academic year, igniting a legal and geopolitical dispute that threatens the academic futures of thousands of foreign students, particularly those from China.

The administration claimed the elite institution had coordinated with the Chinese Communist Party and allowed what it calls "antisemitism" to spread on campus, allegations Harvard denies.

Meanwhile, Trump vowed to deprive "antisemitic" Harvard of $3 billion worth of grants.

In a Truth Social post, the US president said, "I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!"

6,800 international students at risk

According to university data, nearly 6,800 international students are currently enrolled at Harvard, with Chinese nationals comprising roughly 1,300, almost one-fifth of the total foreign cohort. Under the now-contested decision, these students would be forced to transfer or lose their legal status.

On Friday, federal judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s directive, calling it a “blatant violation of the Constitution.”

She said Harvard had demonstrated that the action would cause “immediate and irreparable injury” to the institution, and scheduled a hearing for May 29 to deliberate further.

Related News

Witkoff hopeful of deal with Iran, continues to rule out enrichment

Pentagon employee charged with unlawfully retaining classified docs

China, Hong Kong extend open invitations

In a swift response to the US policy, Chinese authorities and academic institutions have begun offering alternative paths for affected students.

According to statements reviewed by local media, the Hong Kong Education Bureau has coordinated with local universities and the Harvard Club of Hong Kong to offer assistance and encourage international students to continue their studies in the city.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education, Christine Choi, announced that universities in the city would welcome "outstanding students from all over the world" and emphasized the government’s commitment to easing admissions procedures and visa regulations. “We’ll continue to keep a close eye on the needs of students whose studies have been affected by the shifting global education landscape,” the Education Bureau said in a statement.

[ HKUST Opens Doors to Harvard Students Amid Global Academic Shifts ]

In light of global academic shifts, HKUST is extending an open invitation to international students currently enrolled at, or holding confirmed offers from, Harvard University to continue their academic… pic.twitter.com/N7bsLFuDjk

— HKUST (@hkust) May 23, 2025

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology went a step further, offering what it called “unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support” to ease the transition for interested students.

Legal battle looms over student rights

The Trump administration's decision marks a dramatic escalation in its efforts to reshape the ideological landscape of US higher education. Beyond its move to bar international students from Harvard, the administration has threatened to cut off federal funding unless the university complies with several demands: dismantling diversity programs, producing a “viewpoint diversity” audit, and quashing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Harvard of harboring “foreign influence” and failing to be transparent about its international enrollment.

“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their students’ education nor do they ever intend to,” he wrote. “Nobody told us that!”

These statements followed his call for the university to submit the names and national origins of all its international students, a request Harvard has refused.

Another federal judge had earlier blocked a broader federal move to strip foreign students of their legal status nationwide during an ongoing legal challenge, setting a precedent for the current dispute involving Harvard.

  • United States
  • Pro-Palestine Protests
  • China
  • Harvard International Students
  • Donald Trump
  • Harvard

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS