In a country historically regarded as a leading nation of education and innovation, the United States (US) is now reshaping the face of education, not by academic values, but by a narrow political agenda. At the end of May, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s right to admit new and host current international students. For the nearly 30% of current student population at Harvard, this act means they are either forced to transfer or leave the country altogether. A Harvard spokesperson has described the decision as unlawful and reaffirmed the university’s stance by stating:
“We are fully committed to sustaining Harvard’s ability to welcome our international students and scholars, who come from over 140 countries and who enrich the university – and this nation – interminably.”
Harvard University has played a long and influential role in history. Founded in 1636, Harvard predates the founding of the US by over 140 years. The University has had a central part in shaping the American intellectual arena with emphasis on professional education and scientific research. It’s known for its influence and extensive alumni background with notable names such as John F. Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Barack Obama. During this academic year (2024-2025), Harvard has 24,596 enrolled students. Of these, 6,793 are international which means international students are representing 27.2% of the student body.
The Right to Education, Academic Freedom and non-discrimination
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms that everyone has the right to education and that higher education should be accessible to all based on merit. Denying student visas to qualified individuals is therefore not just a policy decision but a Human Rights issue. This right is now being undermined by the government’s attempts to put a stop to foreign students’ access to Harvard. Furthermore, it threatens the integrity of the educational system as a whole. The potential consequences? Loss of academic Freedom, international collaboration wearing away and the neglect of global research and development.
Moreover, the right to education is not just about accessibility – it’s about non-discrimination. The revoke made by the right-winged administration is to the highest degree aimed towards non-Americans, revealing a form of nationality-based discrimination which signals a retreat from the principles of international cooperation and academic exchange. It is not just a question about the allocation of resources, this ban is a tool of control. Revealed is an anti-globalist, protectionist and discriminatory agenda masked under the slogan of “America First”, suggesting that somehow Americans will be immeasurably better off.
A threat towards democracy
Democracies depend on legal stability and predictability and can’t be subject to erratic political shifts. Institutions like Harvard must remain independent regardless of the prevailing political tides. This independence is undermined by sudden policy changes made by currents of political power. By allowing institutions to be undermined, the risk of authoritarianism drawing closer increases significantly, all while putting fundamental Human Rights at risk.
The revoke is not merely a matter of education policy, it represents a threat to fundamental rights, academic integrity and the foundation of democracy. ASSEDEL stands in solidarity with all the thousands of students that are affected by this decision and urges Harvard University to remain steadfast in the face of democratic erosion – in defense of our universal Human Rights.
Sources:
– https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/05/22/l-administration-trump-retire-a-l-universite-harvard-le-droit-d-accueillir-des-etudiants-etrangers_6607821_3210.html
– https://oneworld.worldwide.harvard.edu/international-students-at-harvard/
– https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
– https://www.harvard.edu/about/history/nobel-laureates/