Harvard has faced mounting sanctions and scrutiny from Washington since rejecting demands from a federal antisemitism task force in April to take action to ensure that Jewish students do not face persecution the kind of persecution seen on campuses in the wake of the Hamas massacre of more than 1200 Israeli men, women and children in October of 2023.
The statement from Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, did not say why his department was examining Harvard’s eligibility to take part in the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows foreign nationals to study or work in the United States through cultural and education exchange programs.
It said all sponsors, such as Harvard, “are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded.”
Last month, the Trump administration issued a finding that Harvard tolerated antisemitism, a step that could jeopardize all of Harvard’s federal funding, including student loans or grants. The penalty is typically referred to as a “death sentence.”
Harvard's president, Alan Garber, has said the university has made changes to combat antisemitism and will not submit to the administration’s demands.
