Trump says Harvard should have 15% cap on foreign students

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that there should be a cap of around 15 percent on foreign students at Harvard University, while continuing to pressure it to submit its list of foreign students.

"Harvard has to show us their lists," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They have foreign students. About 31 percent of their students are foreign based. Almost 31 percent. We want to know where those students come (from). Are they troublemakers?"

Trump claimed that many of those students were troublemakers "caused by the radical left lunatics in this country."

"I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent, not 31 percent, we have people want to go to Harvard and other schools they can't get in because we have foreign students there," he said.

After Trump returned to the White House, he targeted many U.S. universities, warning that those that do not adjust their policies will face funding cuts. The Trump administration's main demands include eradicating antisemitism on campus and abolishing diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.

With billions of dollars in funding frozen, its tax-exempt status in jeopardy and multiple investigations underway, Harvard is facing an unprecedented crisis.

On May 22, the Department of Homeland Security announced the revocation of Harvard's eligibility for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program – one of the latest moves by the Trump administration aimed at pressuring the university.

Court hearing

Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, and a federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the ban, with a court hearing on the issue scheduled for May 29.

The federal hearing is expected to decide whether to extend the temporary block.

Previously, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration over federal funding cuts.

According to data from Harvard, as of fall 2023, international students made up more than 27 percent of the total student population. Currently, Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 international students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate programs.