Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the probe will make sure the visa program complies with national interests.
The U.S. State Department has opened an investigation into Harvard University’s eligibility as a sponsor of the J visa, a nonimmigrant visa allowing foreign nationals to come to the United States as students, teachers, and researchers.
In a statement on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the legal obligations for institutions participating in the J visa program, formally known as the exchange visitor program.
“To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States,” Rubio said.
“The American people have the right to expect their universities to uphold national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students.
“The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation’s interests.”
In response to a request for comments, a spokesperson for Harvard denounced the probe as a “retaliatory step” in violation of the university’s First Amendment rights.
“Harvard continues to enroll and sponsor international scholars, researchers, and students, and will protect its international community and support them as they apply for U.S. visas and travel to campus this fall,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.
“The University is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations.”
The announcement comes as Harvard and the Trump administration fight legal battles over whether the Ivy League school can continue enrolling foreign nationals on J visas, as well as on F and M visas, which are typically issued for academic and vocational students, respectively.
In May and June, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued two separate injunctions that indefinitely blocked both the Department of Homeland Security’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification and a presidential proclamation that would have suspended new visas for students entering Harvard.
The two court orders, at least for now, allow newly admitted international students to apply for and enter the United States on Harvard-issued visas while the cases proceed. Still, Harvard advises those planning to travel abroad and then reenter the country to “carefully assess their individual situation” before they do so.
By Bill Pan
