U.S. Suspends Student Visa Appointments, Threatens Harvard’s Accreditation | Investors King
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U.S. Suspends Student Visa Appointments, Threatens Harvard’s Accreditation

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The United States government has suspended all new student and exchange visa appointments across its embassies and consulates globally.

A classified diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed all U.S. missions to halt visa appointment capacity until further notice.

The directive, effective immediately, forms part of a sweeping policy response from the Trump administration following nationwide student protests against the ongoing war in Gaza.

The White House has linked the campus protests to alleged support for designated terrorist groups, including Hamas, and is using immigration policy as a tool to penalize perceived dissenters.

Visa revocations, deportations, and a new round of screening for social media activity are now being implemented, raising concerns about civil liberties and academic freedom.

In a coordinated measure, the administration is also moving to revoke Harvard University’s ability to admit foreign students.

The university’s accreditation under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has been targeted for suspension, a move that would effectively bar it from enrolling non-American students.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday that preliminary steps had been taken to reassess the eligibility of select U.S. institutions participating in federal academic and visa programs.

Harvard is reportedly at the center of this review with officials citing “non-compliance with American values” and “institutional bias against national interests.”

President Donald Trump’s administration has further announced plans to cancel over $100 million in federal contracts and grants awarded to the Ivy League institution. This follows a White House directive to prioritize funding for vocational schools and public institutions “aligned with national workforce needs.”

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, in an interview on Fox News, stated: “The president is committed to redirecting taxpayer funds to trade programs and state schools that teach practical skills and uphold American values. We don’t need more gender studies PhDs from Harvard—we need more electricians, plumbers, and patriotic workers.”

The announcement triggered immediate backlash. Hundreds of Harvard students staged a protest on Tuesday, denouncing the administration’s actions and demanding the restoration of rights for international students. Placards reading “Let Them Stay” and “Trump = Traitor” were seen as graduates gathered for a pre-commencement reception in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

According to Harvard, nearly 27 percent of its student population consists of international students.

The university has already filed lawsuits challenging the legality of the contract cancellations and visa restrictions.

Legal experts argue the government’s position may not withstand judicial scrutiny, citing First Amendment concerns and overreach in executive authority.

Professor Ray Brescia of Albany Law School noted: “This is not just about immigration or university funding—it’s a test of institutional autonomy in the face of political pressure. The courts are likely to intervene.”

The Trump administration’s stance comes amid broader political efforts to reform the U.S. higher education landscape by reducing the federal role in private elite institutions. Several bills introduced in Congress this year seek to impose stricter regulations on endowments, admissions, and curriculum content at universities that receive federal support.

As legal battles escalate, Harvard has vowed to defend its autonomy and protect its students. Alumni groups are mobilizing funds for litigation with lawsuits expected to be filed in federal courts in early June.

The suspension of student visa processing and Harvard’s accreditation threat mark a pivotal moment in U.S. higher education policy, with implications for academic institutions, foreign scholars, and the country’s global reputation as a destination for international study.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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