Kevin Rudd has lambasted US President Donald Trump’s decision to block foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University, calling the move “distressing”.
The ban includes Australian students, who will be denied entry to the prestigious higher-education institution if Mr Trump’s move is put into effect.
“We are monitoring closely developments at Harvard University in relation to the administration’s statement this afternoon on the future enrolment of international students,” Mr Rudd said on Friday morning in a statement to X.
“I know this will be distressing for Harvard’s many Australian students.
“The embassy is working with the United States government to obtain the details of this decision so that Australian students can receive appropriate advice.
US Ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd responded to the Harvard ban on Friday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
“We also intend to engage the administration more broadly on the impact of this decision for Australian students and their families both at Harvard and at other campuses across the United States.”
The Trump administration revoked Harvard’s right to take in international students on Thursday afternoon, local time.
“Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the school.
The administration is waging war on Harvard over the university’s perceived failure to protect Jewish students on campus and its support for diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Picture: Harvard University
“As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enrol foreign students,” Ms Noem said.
“As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have lost this privilege.”
Harvard has slammed the move as “unlawful”.
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars,” the university said in a statement.
Harvard, founded in the 17th century, is America’s leading university and counts former presidents FDR, John F Kennedy and Barack Obama as alumni.
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