Harvard alumni analysed Trump's ban on Harvard
發佈日期: 2025-05-23 19:57
TVB News
U.S. President Donald Trump has banned Harvard University from admitting international students. Hong Kong lawmaker Michael Tien, who is a Harvard alumni, says local students shouldn't panic yet.
The Trump administration has issued a ban on Harvard from enrolling international students. The Ivy League university is provided with a 72-hour window to submit information requested by U.S. Homeland Security if they wish to regain its "privilege of enrolling foreign students."
As one of the world's most prestigious universities, Harvard admitted 24,596 students this academic year, with 5,627 being international pupils. Among them, 57 are from Hong Kong. In the past, the average number of Hong Kong students admitted by Harvard is around 40.
Lawmaker Michael Tien, who is a Harvard alumni, said students should not be too concerned for now because of Trump's history of changing his mind.
MICHAEL TIEN, Legco N.T. North West (Roundtable): "I would advise them just to stay put. He (Trump) is waiting to see how Harvard will respond. Harvard stood firm when he first threatened to pull the federal funding, so this is his next step. He is basically playing a poker game. He has always been a poker player."
Some are worried that the Trump administration may target other Ivy League schools. Tien said such a scenario may not play out.
MICHAEL TIEN: "I think it depends on university to university; how they deal with the antisemitism kind of freedom of speech on campus. I think he (Trump) will deal with it accordingly. I don't think he is going to go after everyone."
On Friday, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said they are prepared to welcome Harvard students to join the institution.
In Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said China opposes the "politicisation of educational cooperation" and will firmly protect the "legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars overseas." Harvard currently has more than 1,200 students from the mainland.
