This marks President Trump’s latest attack on one of the country’s most prestigious universities.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department opened an investigation into Harvard University over its admission practices and sponsorship of international visas for students and faculty through the Exchange Visitor Program.

RELATED:

U.S. Universities Tighten Rules to Prevent Pro-Palestine Rallies

The U.S. government requires sponsors of this program to demonstrate “full compliance with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a proven commitment to advancing the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement.

He added that exchange programs must be conducted “in a manner that does not undermine foreign policy objectives or compromise U.S. national security interests,” noting that educational institutions are expected to “safeguard national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students.”

“The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run counter to the interests of our nation,” Rubio pointed out.

This marks the latest attack by President Donald Trump on one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Rubio’s decision is part of a long-simmering conflict that has escalated in recent months.

On Monday, a hearing was held in a Boston court over the legality of the Trump’s decision to withhold federal funding from Harvard. The session concluded without a ruling, though the federal judge overseeing the case openly questioned the U.S. government’s action.

Previously, Trump attempted to ban foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University — a measure that the same federal judge blocked indefinitely.

In June, the Republican president said it was “possible” that his administration would announce an agreement with Harvard and claimed to be working closely with the institution, although no details of the negotiations have been disclosed.

Separately, the Department of Education has launched investigations into the universities of Miami, Louisville, Nebraska Omaha, Michigan, and Western Michigan.

These institutions will be scrutinized to determine whether they are awarding scholarships exclusively to undocumented youth or recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

IN THIS ARTICLE