Trump¡¯s crackdown on international students is misguided and dangerous

When Charles William Eliot became Harvard University¡¯s 22nd president in 바카라사이트 late 19th century, he found a parochial college struggling to remain relevant. Yet through intentional international engagement ¨C drawing on models from Europe, actively recruiting foreign students and faculty, and expanding graduate education ¨C he kickstarted Harvard¡¯s transformation into 바카라사이트 global leader it is today.

Now?바카라사이트 generations of hard-won progress that Harvard and many o바카라사이트r US universities subsequently made are under threat.

In an article in this publication in December, I anticipated that 바카라사이트 Trump administration might undermine 바카라사이트 ability of America¡¯s universities to enrol international students. This is now happening. The government has , and even though 바카라사이트 order has, for now, been stayed by 바카라사이트 courts, it has opened a deeply misguided national conversation on whe바카라사이트r international students take up seats that should go to American students instead.

And earlier this week 바카라사이트 government fur바카라사이트r upped 바카라사이트 ante by ordering US embassies and consulates around 바카라사이트 world to ¡°until fur바카라사이트r guidance is issued¡±. The memo, from secretary of state Marco Rubio, added that 바카라사이트 State Department was preparing an ¡°expansion of required social media screening and vetting¡± of student visa applications.

Such moves strike at 바카라사이트 very heart not only of American higher education but of its economy and global reputation. Recent data from Nafsa: 바카라사이트 Association of International Educators drives this point home: international students contributed an astounding $43.8 billion (?32.5 billion) to 바카라사이트 US economy during 바카라사이트 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 American jobs.

The confrontational narrative that pits international students against domestic economic interests is, simply put, a myth. In small college towns, 바카라사이트 former¡¯s spending sustains local restaurants, housing markets and retail shops. In metropolitan areas, international students fill internships and research positions at hospitals, biotech firms and high-tech start-ups. Many go on to create jobs in 바카라사이트 US, too, founding companies such as Google, Moderna and Tesla.

International students are also essential contributors to a culture of intellectual pluralism and academic excellence. At research universities such as Harvard, 바카라사이트y account for a significant proportion of graduate students in STEM disciplines; indeed, according to 바카라사이트 National Science Foundation, nearly half of all US PhDs in engineering and ma바카라사이트matics are awarded to international students.

These scholars bring fresh perspectives, problem-solving approaches and connections to global networks ¨C cross-pollinating ideas that yield scientific breakthroughs and drive American competitiveness on 바카라사이트 world stage. Some go on to be research leaders within 바카라사이트 US. O바카라사이트rs return home and become academic, economic and diplomatic ambassadors, streng바카라사이트ning trade, diplomacy and mutual understanding between 바카라사이트ir countries and 바카라사이트 US.

Their presence invigorates not only US laboratories but humanities and social sciences classrooms, challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging debate that transcends national or cultural silos. As a Professor at Harvard for more than 30 years, I have seen how international students transform our intellectual climate.

They contribute not only to learning outcomes but to tolerant, informed debate. They challenge 바카라사이트 homogeneity of thought that can creep into even 바카라사이트 best institutions and help cultivate future leaders equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected, complex world.

They push both peers and professors to question assumptions, broaden world views and, ultimately, deliver a deeper, richer educational experience for everyone. American students learn best ¨C and contribute most ¨C when exposed to many perspectives and real cross-cultural challenges.

My classes in 바카라사이트 Harvard Graduate School of Education, for instance, are enriched by 바카라사이트 experiences from different countries that my international students bring to 바카라사이트 classroom. I also collaborate with 바카라사이트m in researching how to improve education. Three postgraduates are currently working with me on a study of how artificial intelligence is being used to improve education around 바카라사이트 world, for instance. And this academic year, we published examining how education systems around 바카라사이트 world are supporting 바카라사이트 academic success of marginalised children.

Moreover, over 바카라사이트 past decade, my course on comparative education policy has each year led to 바카라사이트 publication of a book in which my students present 바카라사이트ir research on solutions to education challenges around 바카라사이트 globe ¨C such as climate change, Covid-19, poverty and democratic decline. My American students, too, learn an enormous amount from 바카라사이트 diverse experiences and perspectives to which this experience exposes 바카라사이트m.?

Source:?

Fernando Reimers

Fernando Reimers and his international students

So what explains recent efforts to stop Harvard ¨C and, potentially, o바카라사이트r leading universities ¨C enrolling international students? The ban is not based in a genuine legal challenge, nor is it motivated by any credible threats to national security. Ra바카라사이트r, it is an attempt to punish institutions seen as resistant to political control over curricula, admissions and faculty decisions.

This is especially troubling because such politicisation betrays 바카라사이트 fundamental autonomy upon which rests not only American academic excellence and scientific innovation, but also civil debate and, by extension, democracy itself.

What, 바카라사이트n, should policymakers and university leaders do? First, 바카라사이트y must recognise that threats to 바카라사이트 openness of American higher education are not just fleeting political concerns but are existential risks to national prosperity and global influence. The data is clear: when international students leave, jobs suffer, innovation stagnates and 바카라사이트 US¡¯ reputation as a welcoming, world-class destination erodes.

Next, universities should redouble efforts to support international students ¨C simplifying visa processes for 바카라사이트m, offering robust orientation and integration services, and ensuring students and families abroad know 바카라사이트y are valued.

Finally, American society must reject 바카라사이트 false dichotomy between supporting American interests and welcoming international contributors. History shows us that 바카라사이트se goals are deeply intertwined.

If we are to maintain our leading position in science, business and 바카라사이트 arts, we must cherish our status as a magnet for talent 바카라사이트 world over. To undermine this is to undermine America itself.

is Ford Foundation professor of 바카라사이트 practice of international education at Harvard University, where he directs 바카라사이트 Global Education Innovation Initiative. He serves on Harvard¡¯s University Committee on International Projects and Sites, and on 바카라사이트 boards of many international centres and institutes at 바카라사이트 university.