Statement Of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder on the Administration’s Revocation of the Ability of Any International Students to Attend Harvard University

Yesterday, the administration again escalated its coercion campaign to force Harvard University to relinquish its constitutional rights and surrender its independence. With a week to go before Harvard’s commencement exercises, the Department of Homeland Security has decreed that it is revoking the university’s authority to host any international students to study or perform research there starting in the coming academic year.

This unprecedented decision is a cruel and unwarranted disruption to the lives and education of talented students whose energy and creativity benefit our country tremendously.

In addition, the decision will have impacts well beyond the blow it delivers to both new Harvard-bound students from abroad and those already in the midst of their studies, including those from America’s allied and partner nations. America markets itself as a premier destination for high-quality academic programs, faculty, and facilities. And indeed, our world-class education system and research enterprise is the envy of the world. But this action works to undermine that, creating uncertainty for families around the globe weighing whether to send their child or family member to the U.S. to study.

Ultimately it is our country’s future – its leadership in science and innovation and its prosperity – that is threatened by this unforced error. U.S. businesses will lose since peer nations – both allies and competitors alike – are happily rolling out the red carpet to welcome the world’s brightest students and most innovative scholars in order to reap the benefit from America’s brain drain.

I commend the university’s stated commitment to continue its ability “to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University and this nation.”