**Trump’s Crackdown on Harvard University: The Unexpected Consequences for Jewish Foreign Students**
President Donald Trump’s administration has been at odds with Harvard University over its policy of enrolling foreign students. However, the controversy has taken a surprising turn, with many Jewish foreign students feeling like they are being caught in the middle. In fact, some have even referred to leaving one conflict zone – Israel – only to enter another.
For Genia, a PhD student at Harvard, leaving Israel was like escaping a war zone. Now, she fears becoming collateral damage due to Trump’s crackdown on elite universities. As a psychology student who is halfway through her studies on language learning in blind babies, Genia is worried about being sent back home if the foreign ban prevails.
**A Double-Edged Sword**
Ironically, Trump’s order intended to protect Jewish students like Genia has put those from overseas in danger. No exceptions are made for Israelis or international Jewish students, leading to accusations that Trump has politicized the antisemitism issue. Harvard President Alan Garber claims that the cuts imposed by the Trump administration will “hurt” not only Harvard but the entire country because academics are conducting research considered “high priority” by the government.
**Students Speak Out**
For Nitsan Machlis, a soon-to-be graduate from Harvard, the situation has been a long time coming. She says that for the first time in a long time, she is proud to be a Harvard student. However, another Israeli student, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the Trump administration’s attitude towards Harvard. While acknowledging the university’s efforts to address issues related to antisemitism, she worries that these are not unique problems but rather global challenges.
**Expert Analysis**
Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, an expert on authoritarian governments, takes a step further in analyzing the situation. He believes that Trump is using antisemitism to control elite education and target Harvard specifically because it’s the largest and most prominent university in the nation.
**Consequences for International Students**
The ongoing fight between Trump’s administration and Harvard University threatens to leave the institution a different place, even if it emerges victorious. Students like Genia regret applying to US universities after visa changes, fearing that they will be caught in the crossfire of a larger conflict.
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