CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Several of Harvard’s sports teams could face significant reductions following an announcement made on Thursday by the Trump administration. This move impacts the Ivy League institution, which boasts the country’s biggest athletic program.
not eligible for international student visas
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Of the eight rowers on the men’s heavyweight crew team that recently clinched the Eastern Sprints championship—and is now moving on to the national championships—seven have listed their home origins from abroad on the university’s official site. Mick Thompson, the top scorer from last year, along with former captain Jack Bar, are part of several Canadian players featured on the men’s hockey squad. Additionally, out of the 13 individuals comprising the men’s squash team, 10 hail from overseas locations. Similarly, over half of both the women’s soccer and golf teams also claim international backgrounds.
The 42 varsity athletic teams at Harvard lead all institutions nationally.
Sportico reported last month
That 21%, which equates to 196 out of 919 athletes on the school’s rosters for the 2024-25 season, came from international backgrounds. The platform pointed out that among these individuals might be U.S. citizens or green card holders who do not require the specific international visas involved in the growing dispute. This controversy stems from the administration’s claims that the institution did not adequately safeguard Jewish students against antisemitism.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded Harvard University’s permission to admit international students, claiming that the institution has fostered an unsafe campus atmosphere by permitting “anti-American, pro-terrorist individuals” to attack Jewish students. This action might compel up to 6,800 overseas students currently attending the university near Boston to either switch institutions or depart the United States.
Harvard deemed the action illegal and stated they are endeavoring to offer direction to their students. President Alan Garber, who identifies as Jewish, commented following the submission of a lawsuit aimed at preventing a federal funding embargo, saying that the institution “will keep combating hatred with the immediacy it requires whilst adhering completely to our duties imposed by law. This obligation goes beyond mere legality; it is also an ethical necessity.”
Erin McDermott, the athletic director at Harvard, initially turned down an interview with The Associated Press regarding the possible effects of the visa restrictions. When asked again later, a spokesperson for Harvard Athletics directed the inquiry to the university’s primary media relations department; however, they have yet to provide a response. Similarly, The Associated Press reached out to three Harvard coaches for their input but received no replies.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney—a past member of the Harvard hockey team—chose not to comment after being reached out to by the Associated Press. Democratic Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts, who was part of the Harvard basketball squad, mentioned that these athletes form part of the 85,000 international students coming into the state with intentions to “learn, carry out research, launch enterprises, and foster job creation along with innovative ideas.”
President Trump is penalizing our students and adversely affecting our economy, which he sees fit due to their disagreement with his policies,” she stated. “Only China and other nations stand to gain from Donald Trump’s measures, as they are actively attracting these students. This approach goes completely against the idea of putting America first.
Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press
