US opens investigation into Harvard's participation in Exchange Visitor Program

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it is opening an investigation into Harvard University's continued eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows foreign students and scholars to participate in exchange programs in the United States.

The investigation marks the Trump administration's renewed effort to restrict the admission of overseas students at the country's oldest university.

"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," U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio said in a statement.

"The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation's interests," said Rubio.

A spokesperson for Harvard University said in a statement that this investigation is "yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights," while noting that Harvard is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

Earlier this week, Judge Allison Burroughs from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts held a hearing on the Trump administration's cuts to Harvard's federal funding -- an estimated total of over 2.6 billion U.S. dollars.

In a social media post, U.S. President Donald Trump called the judge "a total disaster," pledging that his administration would file an immediate appeal should the ruling go against them.