I was asked “Don’t you think there should be any checks to who we allow into the US?“
Judge Blocks Trump’s Move to Ban Harvard from Enrolling Foreign Students
Yesterday, I reported Judge Blocks Trump’s Move to Ban Harvard from Enrolling Foreign Students
This took the expected time, less than a day.
Q: Why does it make any sense at all to stop 6,000 enormously talented people who want to come to the United States to study, from having that opportunity?
A: This is vicious. It is illegal. It is unwise. And it is very damaging.Q&A by Larry Summers.
I agree on all counts and I cheer the court’s prompt smackdown.
In response I received a couple of replies worth discussing.
I also have additional information on due process and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Reader Responses
- George: There are so many unanswered questions with this opinion piece. The government – not Harvard – is responsible for who to allow in the country. This is security based. You have no idea if there is a security risk yet you go out on a limb and call it stupid.
- John: Don’t you think there should be any checks to who we allow into the US and why? Harvard was targeted because they refused to comply with simple rules that even Columbia agreed to. If an institution is bringing in political activists with ties to terrorists, why give them unchecked power to grant visas? What other country does that?
Sorry, no Paul or Ringo.
Should There Be Checks?
Yes, and there are. The Dept of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), approves foreign student entry to the United States.
So all of these students were vetted by Homeland Security and ICE.
What a hoot.
Due Process and the APA
The Trump Administration action was unbelievably amateurish. It’s clear retaliation for Harvard’s position, something the federal government simply cannot do.
For starters, it’s a First Amendment violation.
Second, there was no hearing at all, so it violates the Due Process Clause and the APA.
Third, the explanation of “antisemitism” and admitting people with questionable views without giving any factual bases is a violation of the First Amendment, Due Process Clause and the APA.
The above is from a constitutional law expert friend.
The next quote is an AI generated response to a question on Due Process and the APA.
The APA
The Due Process Clause, found in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) work together to ensure fairness in administrative proceedings.
The APA outlines the procedural requirements that federal agencies must follow during rule-making and adjudication, while the Due Process Clause provides a constitutional framework for ensuring procedural fairness when the government acts in a way that could deprive a person of life, liberty, or property.
Going Out on a Limb
George: “You have no idea if there is a security risk yet you go out on a limb and call it stupid.”
I called it stupid because it is not only economically stupid but unconstitutional for three reasons.
I discussed the security aspects and constitutionality above. Let’s recap the economic stupidity.
On May 23, I rcommented Trump Stupidly Blocks Harvard From Enrolling Foreign Students
Trump’s latest move on Harvard is likely illegal but certainly stupid.
Trump is holding 6,800 innocent kids in his stupid power play with Harvard.
Services Surplus
The US runs a goods trade deficit, but a services surplus with most of the world.
Higher education is a big part of the US services surplus. US students get scholarships and financial aid. Foreign students pay the full sticker price.
The US should welcome the best and brightest minds in the world to study here.
Instead, Trump threatens to kick them out. In doing so, he is single-handedly destroying America’s research base.
Why?
Harvard bruised Trump’s fragile ego by not kissing his ass.
Please recall this all started in April when The Letter to Harvard Setting Off Trump Confrontation Was a Mistake
Oops, the letter was a mistake.
I expect the courts to quickly squash this obvious idiocy. Trump has truly lost it … again.
Trump is taking a US international competitive advantage and pissing on it to satisfy a personal vendetta against Harvard that started with a letter that was not supposed to be sent.
It’s sickening.
So, yes, it is clearly stupid, vindictive, arbitrary, unconstitutional for three reasons, and sickening.
And the hoot of the day regards security when the students were vetted by Homeland Security!
Finally, the asininity of applying a blanket rule on 6,800 students to satisfy Trump’s power play ego speaks for itself, as does his obvious disdain of the constitution and due process.
Do I have any concessions on just how stupid this is?
Addendum
Please note Belgium’s future queen caught up in Harvard foreign student ban.
Princess Elisabeth has completed first year of master’s degree but Trump administration’s crackdown may jeopardize studies.
What is truly scary is that people like George and John, like so many others cannot see what is going on. How gullible they are to Trump’s lies and bullshit while he robs the country blind. He has done some good things but the cost is too high. I never thought this could happen in the USA. I never thought there would be a day when so many Republicans, the people who guard the rights of the constitution so completely, are so willing to allow Trump and his entourage to trample all over it. How can they not see they are next. And, before someone tries to accuse me of being a democrat, I am not, I am scared of what kind of world we are creating for out children and grand children.
Thanks
I pinned your comment to the top.
Corrected “George and Paul” to “George and John”
May use your comment in a post.
We need Ringo’s opinion too.
we are creating debt and not only the monetary kind
That’s true, the debt will be repaid by hyperinflation or collapsing living standards at best & a good ass kicking if the delusion of grandeur persists.
You are the one that cannot see what is going on. Harvard collects billions of taxpayer dollars each year while actively discriminating against the majority of the population, on the basis of race. It is unfair to ask middle class taxpayers to pay for this illegal and unfair discrimination. Especially, when Harvard enjoys a 53-billion-dollar endowment.
Steve your response is idiotic
This is about admissions, not funding. I do not agree with funding and that is a separate issue.
And the irony is foreign students pay full tuition. Moreover the 53 Billion endowment is from donations.
Idiotic does not due justice to your comment.
You said – “This is about admissions, not funding. , , And the irony is foreign students pay full tuition.”
Exactly, halting foreign student admissions means less tuition and that directly impacts Harvard’s funding. This is a pressure point, one of many designed to convince Harvard to end its discriminatory and illegal practices. A recent poll noted that 80% of the respondents consisting of parents with school age children want to see an end to race based admissions, hiring and scholarships at colleges and universities. It is stunning that Harvard Trustee’s are so wedded to illegal discrimination. I applaud every effort the government employs to end Harvard’s discriminatory policies.
Funding and admissions are not separate issues. Harvard is playing politics through admissions. If Qatar and China are giving you lots of money, you ‘re not going to vet or exclude students from those countries. You will exclude the “A” student from from Indiana, and you will admit the “B+” student from China and the activist from Lebanon.
As far as research, they should be paid through ordinary invoices for services rendered, not given blank checks for “research promises”.
You should see the whole case under the prism of “US private universities have been living the easy high life for decades, at the expense of the taxpayer”.
And since we’re such fans of Chinese cars, let’s bring in departments of Chinese Universities too – for good old libertarian competition.
Those dollars are research grants from things like NASA, NIH, NOAA, etc. They’re NOT used for education…. I suppose there’s some DEI crap and womyn’s studies that get funded with federal dollars but that’s the fault of the govt, not colleges/universities)\. Corporations can’t do research for things like cancer cures: no guaranteed success/profits. The govt, except for a few national research labs, is simply not organized to do research. Hence, universities do it. This is why the US has become the scientific powerhouse of the planet, there is no other reason.
If we can finally get the right combo of white scientists, black scientists, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Japanese, Chinese, Gay, Trans, and non-binary scientists we’ll finally cure cancer!!!!
/sarc
The govt should not give one dime to any institution that practices racism and sexism, which is EXACTLY what DEI is.
Research grants are NOT separate from university education. The schools in Harvard’s class have as many or more graduate students as undergraduates.
The research funded by university grants is conducted by Ph.D. students supervises by professors. The grants pay to educate & train the Ph.D. students whose doctoral dissertations, and resulting publications, document the research results.
You forget that US universities are a business, foreign & US student often wave money in their faces to get their children enrolled as the revelations have shown. This is only a big story now cuz Trump is trying to distinguish any likely barrier to his dictatorial ambitions. This is exactly like Germany 1933. Never have these universities been interested in meritocracy, they discriminate against the poor & not by country, quit with the self pity cuz this time last year you had no idea at all about universities, students for centuries rose up to be heard against wars, inequality etc & this is just another extreme gov reaction cuz they fear no one more than University student.
Germany 1933
This new leaning toward xenophobia is not conducive to a peaceful world and is inconsistent with Trump’s claim of making peace in a troubled world. I am most disappointed with such a policy. Free exchange is the best path to peace – both economically and diplomatically.
Harvard bruised Trump’s fragile ego by not kissing his ass.
Harvard shattered Trump’s brittle ass by not kissing his ego.
I’m truly saddened to see The Fed, with us in their leaking boat, has now started to use “Stealth QE” (unannounced QE) to cover up for Foreign Policy issues [mistakes]. Seriously, IMHO this is the first step down an unending debasement of the dollar.
No one has a monopoly on virtue or intelligence, but in my ~50 yrs in Capital Market roles, etc. I do not recall anything as unnerving as this.
“Fed Quietly Buys $43,600,000,000 in US Treasuries in Alleged ‘Stealth QE’ Operation After China Abruptly Dumps Billions in Bonds.” [Fearing the downturn I had quit watching the demise a bit. But with news like this other Central Banks and Foreign holders may start bailing and such.]
Stealth currency debasement is quite sad to see.
Your borrowed interpretation from a so called “constitutional law expert friend” is an extremely weak form of argumentation. Anonymous expert lol. Then you present it as fact and claim that all these actions are clearly unconstitutional. Who controls foreign visas and entry to the US? The courts? No. The executive branch? Yes. That’s what the constitution calls for, directly, literally with no interpretation needed. It has nothing to do with Harvard’s so called free speech. Now, since we live in the swamp of an administrative state with layer upon layer of quasi law presented by federal agencies, vague laws presented by congress which itself has been grossly corrupted, is lazy and focuses on reelection and grift, the courts who themselves were created by congress, not the constitution, which created one court, SCOTUS, the private sector law firms who feed those courts candidates, mainly along the lines of prestige from schools like Harvard and Yale, well that’s a can of worms isn’t it. You can’t get through all that bullshit by framing issues emotionally. If the executive controls foreign policy, which it does, including admission to the US by visa etc., then if the executive determines that it is not in the best interest of the US to admit certain people, you’re saying that the lower courts have the power to over rule this? Then they are conducting foreign policy. Which is unconstitutional.
I gotta give you credit – you ALMOST know what you are talking about.
Sure, the executive branch approves/disapproves visas – BUT the courts determine if the executive branch is doing this in accordance with the constitution.
There is this thing called checks and balances built into the constitution and I’m not going to try to “… get through all that(your) bullshit” cause “there are none so blind as those that will not see.”
Is it really in the US interest that high-IQ Indians and Chinese take over the upper echelons of US society? India and China are both global competitors to the US.
Though Trump’s sweeping orders are stupid, they do expose major holes in our debates, and they force us to expose our own hypocrisies, don’t they?
What if I propose we bring in the country Departments of the top Chinese, Russian, European and Japanese. The government would give them proportional funding as it pays Harvard and Yale. And they’re going to have their own untouchable admission and graduation policies, just as Harvard does. Competition is always good… right?
After all, this is not the country of a nation anymore, it’s an international gathering place/economic zone, with temporary borders.
It is clear that the decision to accept a foreign student should be based on examining the attitude of the student himself, and not on the university that invites him
Every one of you seems to have missed the point that while DHS is responsible for vetting the students on visa before they enter, those Visas come with legal requirements. Students who violate the terms of their visas while in the U.S. can have their visas revoked. When questions arise about visa violations, universities and employers have legal responsibilities to provide DHS with relevant information, as they would for any other legal investigation.
What Harvard is doing is the equivalent of Mish smoking pot, blogging about it, and then telling the police they cannot investigate the obvious smell.
The Trump administration’s tactics are hardball negotiations. Harvard, as a well known recidivist long-time offender with no sense of wrongdoing or remorse, has earned the treatment they’re receiving.
I think Harvard should yield. Trump has been methodically upping the pressure on the University in measured steps.
I’m no legal expert, but with the statements made by students and Student organizations on October 8, a case could be made against them for supporting a terrorist organization. Withholding the security footage of these terrorist supporters would involve conspiracy to commit.
That would be harsh charges for getting duped by a Middle East intelligence operation.
Yes, Harvard should yield.
Off topic of this specific discussion but germane to the general concept of control: If the United States government subsidizes an institution, does it not have a voice in the curriculum and the students who may participate in it? I realize that the US (Trump) has suspended some or all of our subsidies to Harvard, so I agree that Harvard or any other institution can then set the standards for who it admits and what it teaches as long as it is not illegal, but if the University accepts government money, then it better listen to Daddy, or lose it. I don’t know why Harvard should be exempt to this policy. But perhaps this issue is moot regarding Harvard, or should be now.
Vented? By the Biden administration!…Right
I agree with much of what you said, but I mainly oppose the actions against Harvard because they seem primarily motivated by an intent to prevent demonstrators (or more to punish demonstrators) who peacefully protest the US sponsored, paid for Israeli genocide in Gaza.
So I asked Grok “What are the 10 worst specific acts of violence committed by student protestors at Harvard and Columbia university against Jewish students during the Gaza protests? See the response below. The fact is there were NO such acts of violence. The only incident listed which involves a physical assault was Yoseph Haddad, who turns out to be an Orthodox Christian.
You would think from mainstream media reports and Trump’s retaliatory actions and threats against Harvard that there were massive pogroms against Jews, that the Jewish students lived in terror, beaten and abused, literally afraid for their lives. So now Trump endorses cancel culture and censorship when it suits his donor base. Looks like this is setting the stage for hate speech laws, laws prohibiting any criticism of Jews, Zionists or Israel, just like they have in Europe. They are already being set in motion.
I don’t trust anything coming out of the mainstream media-including FoxNews. All refuse to cover the horror of the Gaza genocide, and instead promote the ridiculous narrative that the main story is that campus protests are some kind of pogrom against Jewish students. Nice misdirection.
From Grok:
“…There is limited evidence in available sources detailing specific acts of violence committed by student protesters at Harvard and Columbia University against Jewish students during the Gaza protests in 2024 and 2025. While there are reports of antisemitic incidents and tensions on these campuses, most sources describe the protests as largely nonviolent, with specific acts of violence either attributed to outside agitators, vaguely described, or not explicitly linked to Jewish students as targets. Below, I’ve compiled the most relevant incidents from available data, but the sources do not provide a clear list of ten distinct, well-documented violent acts specifically targeting Jewish students by student protesters. Instead, I’ve included incidents that are cited as antisemitic or aggressive, noting where details are unclear or contested. I’ve also included rebuttals from pro-Palestinian groups and contextualized the incidents with available information.
Incidents at Columbia University
Physical Assault at School of General Studies Gala (April 2024): Six students wearing keffiyehs in support of arrested pro-Palestinian protesters reported being harassed and physically assaulted at Columbia’s School of General Studies Gala. The source does not specify the assailants’ identities or whether they were students, nor does it confirm the victims were Jewish, but the incident occurred in the context of heightened tensions around the Gaza protests.
Attempted Flag Burning (April 2024): A Jewish student, Rotem Weiss, reported that protesters attempted to burn an Israeli flag on campus, which he perceived as an aggressive act against Jewish students. The source does not confirm whether the perpetrators were students or if the act was completed.
Water Spilling Incident (April 2024): Weiss also reported witnessing a man spilling water on a Jewish student, described as an act of aggression. Details about the perpetrator’s status as a student or the context of the incident are unclear.
Punching of Arab-Israeli Activist (April 18, 2024): An Arab-Israeli activist, Yoseph Haddad, was allegedly punched by a protester outside Columbia’s campus during an event organized by a student group. The incident led to the cancellation of the event, but it’s unclear if the assailant was a Columbia student or an outside individual.
Occupation of Hamilton Hall (April 30, 2024): Protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, breaking windows during the action. While this was cited as a violent act, no direct targeting of Jewish students was reported, though Jewish students expressed feeling unsafe due to the escalation. Organizers claimed such acts were by “outside agitators” rather than students.
Incidents at Harvard University
Verbal Harassment and Antisemitic Chants (October 2023): Jacob Miller, president of Harvard’s Hillel chapter, reported seeing “hateful posts on social media” and hearing references to antisemitic tropes, such as Jewish control of the media, during pro-Palestinian protests. While not physical violence, these were perceived as threatening by Jewish students. Specific perpetrators were not identified as students.
Subway Station Incident (April 2024): A Harvard professor reported seeing a pro-Palestinian protester holding a sign with the word “Hamas” in the Harvard Square subway station, which he found threatening. When he shouted, “Let Israel live,” a protester laughed dismissively, which he felt was insulting. It’s unclear if the protester was a Harvard student, and no physical violence was reported.
Encampment Rules Excluding Zionists (April 2024): At a Harvard protest encampment, a sign reportedly included a rule stating, “Don’t talk to Zionists,” which Alitza Hochhauser, a Jewish student, found threatening and exclusionary. No physical violence was described, but the rhetoric contributed to feelings of fear among Jewish students.
Verbal Attack at Encampment (April 2024): Hochhauser reported that a friend was told to “go back to Europe” by someone inside the Harvard protest encampment. The identity of the speaker (student or non-student) was not specified, and no physical violence was noted….”
Harvard published its own report on campus antisemitism at the end of April, 2025. It is over 233 pages, and found and describes several dozens of substantial and pervasive instances of anti-semitism; far more significant and pervasive than the few silly examples you cite from Grok. You can read Harvard’s report here:
FINAL-Harvard-ASAIB-Report-5.7.25.pdf
so what?
Seriously
Does that justify Trump’s actions?
The post above trivialized the issue of antisemitism at Harvard. Harvard’s own report sets the record straight – the problems are pervasive and structural. This is part of the charges against Harvard in regard to receipt of federal funding. This, plus the admitted discrimination against Asians, as noted by the Supreme Court, and the DEI practices of race-based admissions, hiring and scholarships, places Harvard in plain violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, disqualifying the school from receiving federal funding. This is what is at stake in the Harvard litigation.
i was up at columbia for the protests. there was no tormenting of jewish students. many jews are anti zionists there in fact. lots of ultra orthodox hasidic jews there protesting against zionist genocide…………..the pro israeli protesters outside the campus was the only violence we saw. they were brutal, too.
I personally know at LEAST ten people, and one of them is one of my best friends, who came to America from Sweden, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Israel. I went to school with half of them (were in College WITH them) and these were indeed elites of their classes in their respective countries.
To think that my friends would be deported is clearly insane. These are people who spend MONEY on Tuition, Housing, Food, Autos and so on. ALL of them graduated and Thomas, my pal from Germany, was Magna Cum Laude with excellent grades.
He and I went on into the Silicon Valley where we BOTH put in over 30 years in our respective Companies, and we BOTH ended up being principle owners of our last companies – – both High-Tech suppliers to PC manufacturers. Thomas has moved back to Germany and lives part time in our “home town” in the Algarve of Portugal and he is a GREAT MAN in my opinion.
Thanks for the true-life story. This illustrates in a personal way the harm that government interference in higher education can do.
It’s only one school and the students have time to transfer to another easily if indeed they are good students. It’s not a career killer.
If you’re working on a PhD it’s generally back to square one if you transfer to another school once you’ve started on your dissertation.
And, Harvard, per Noem’s directive, still has one more chance to provide the requested information.
Well fortunately, they probably didn’t engage in antisemitism, so good for them.
Apples to oranges.
Were on a slippery slope. Not every German was a nazi. Some were in different political parties. Some were in the nazi party but only somewhat agreed with the “good” things hitler was doing for the county. In the end everyone suffered destruction of a country loss of life. Not only for German but the rest of the world.
Its the same with the republicans today. A good chunk of the party puts up with trump because they like what hes doing. Pick a topic. immigration/ sticking it to libs/ cutting government waste. Etc. how effective these policies they do not care or understand. Mean while trump is chewing away at anyone or institution that stands in his way. The republican. Congress has caved. They wont stop him. Because the are afraid to get primaried / trumps wraith / or fear for their and families safety.
Beat a few down the rest will fall in line.
Ps.
Darvo. Deny attack reverse victim and
offender.
You will see it everywhere
Some vetting. These supposedly vetted students rampaged throughout the campus, took over common areas and buildings, interfered with classes, and threatened the Jewish students for weeks, while the administration did nothing. No doubt Harvard will get their day in court – in a year or two, and possibly an injunction protecting existing students. but it is doubtful the Appellate Court or the Supreme Court will enforce an junction that requires the government to issue a permit to let new foreign students enroll given what happened.
The foreign students merely need to attend a different University that is committed to nondiscrimination. I suggest Dartmouth or Brown.
It is repeatedly mentioned by some that voted for Trump, I didn’t for this or that executive order, or the presidency is for sale, or Orwellian doublespeak programs, etc. The student visa cancellation is just another of Trumps EOs, tweets, public statements that fall into the I didn’t vote for this.
Can a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and like minded citizens that want to end this devolution into fascism, put aside their differences temporarily until the 2026 biennial election and support on the campaign trail Trump’s impeachment, removal and prosecution?
This man masquerading as president and some of the GOP lawmakers that support his illegal kidnappings off of American streets, illegal deportations, potential contempt of court actions, further widening the wealth divide, increasing the War Department’s budget to $1T, etc., has gotten so out of hand that in the House tax bill there is a section in it that would stop any court in the land from ordering injunctions, contempt of court rulings, etc., unless the plaintiff posts a bond.
What are the signs of fascism?
https://ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html
The link doesn’t include control of the courts as a sign of fascism but it is part of autocracy from the far right and left governments. The citizens of the US are now experiencing this decline at a rate the US has rarely experienced since the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed. This proto American fascism makes McCarthy and other fear mongers from the Right, jingoists and/or xenophobes appear as rank amateurs and reflects how far this country has moved from the Red Scare, the Palmer raids, anti-immigrant laws to an outright fascistic unitary executive government in the making.
Well articulated. Trump is not working to make America anything other than his personal wealth and power builder.
There has to be a legitimate method for responsible people to remove this tyrant!
I love my country – but I fear its president.
These Are the Universities Most Dependent on International Students
https://archive.is/2EgI1#selection-513.0-513.72
Very interesting. Most of the top US universities have more than 20% foreign students. It was under the Obama administration the share of international students really took off. Campus facilities had to be expanded by borrowing for a longer term (typically 30 year bonds) than those students would be attending, so any drop in foreign enrollment would severely impact budgets.
So you think that because they were vetted by Homeland Security they are safe? How thorough is the vetting process especially back under Biden when most of these students were vetted?
And considering that the vetting process to grant visas isn’t working well when over half a million visa holders who were supposedly vetted break the law each year and overstay their visas.
Also while I agree that it is unfortunate that 6800 foreign students are caught up in the dick measuring contest between Trump and the intransigeant board of Harvard it is not possible that all 6800 are innocent. Why doesn’t Harvard hand over the evidence from the protests to the government so that the troublemakers at those protests can be identified. It’s one thing to have peaceful protests even if things we don’t agree on but those engaged in intimidation, violence, trespass and vandalism should be kicked out of Harvard, prosecuted and if not citizens deported. But Harvard paid lip service to stopping the attacks or punishing those involved so Trumps admin is going after both Harvard and its many rotten apples.
Why don’t you think instead of being a Trump parrot?
The Administration has no right to ask for the personal details it is asking.
Mish, you’re wrong. When I applied for a student visa in 1997, the school asked me to fax them proof of financial support and resources (Bank accounts and solemn declaration of at least one third party-family member who would guarantee my financial support), Birth Certificate, a Criminal Records Report, full identification report, proof of postal address in my home country, a Cambridge Certificate for English proficiency, and of course all my school grades and a “school report of my conduct”. And then I had to physically go to the US Embassy in Athens (carrying my passport) for a personal interview, before I received my Student Visa.
The school advisor’s email also stated that the US authorities had the right to request additional information if needed.
Nowadays you have NGOs taking care of that stuff for masses of foreign students, in the same way Travel Agencies used to be able to request “a bunch” of tourist visas for groups from the local US embassies.
Before my student visa in ’97, I got my first “B1/B2” (tourist/business) visa in 1996, and they requested almost all of the above PLUS a proof of Home Ownership (!). When I innocently asked why they would ask the latter, an employee told me “to make sure you have incentive not to leave your country“. The fact that I was married helped. My brother couldn’t get a tourist visa in 1998 (single, no home ownership).
The fact that now we see the same foreign agitators in US schools as those responsible for the terrible demonstrations (and burnings) of universities in Greece two and three decades ago, proves that the previous system I experienced is being bypassed by organizations obviously cooperating with university faculty, associations, and the DHS. That’s how it happened in Greece (and Germany: remember Mohamed Atta?), and your universities may experience the same fate and lose their high status forever.
With all due respect, I would suggest you do more thorough research if you want to pass as an investigational journalist.
PS. I forgot to mention that they also asked me of the address I would be staying in the US (in both cases) and US phone number. They don’t just “release you in the wild”.
The USA lately has been giving me the impression of a clunky machine, with every component having an unreasonably high tolerance. In the old languages, the legal term for “bordello” is usually “House of Tolerance”, and if Trump sacrifices himself politically for us to see it, so be it.
The first thing immigrants notice, is the absence of protective fences in suburban houses (a mark of a high trust society). Open up the borders again, and you’ll have not enough police even in gated communities for what will follow. Trump is right for reacting, but not right for reacting badly. That doesn’t give you an excuse for being reckless in your research.
“vetted by Homeland Security“ is stuff I translate on a regular basis. They want a translated “Criminal Records Report” from the local authorities. These reports though never include misdemeanors. Petty crimes or ordinary arrests (for vandalism or petty drug offenses etc.) never make it in such reports if there are no criminal law convictions. European DOJs almost never issue criminal convictions for political activism (unless of course it’s a major offense such as homicide or intentional arson – while intentional vandalism in political activism is always excused).
When I applied for a student visa in 1997, the school asked me to fax them proof of financial support and resources (Bank accounts and solemn declaration of at least one third party-family member who would guarantee my financial support), Birth Certificate, a Criminal Records Report, full identification report, proof of postal address in my home country, a Cambridge Certificate for English proficiency, and of course all my school grades and a “school report of my conduct”. And then I had to physically go to the US Embassy in Athens for an interview to receive my Student Visa.
Self hating statisticians tend to extrapolate and make stupid mistakes. They are blind to small slow changes. The US colleges, instead of exporting Americanism, are dying in frog cooking. Several ME entities export Islam and Muslim Bros via our elite colleges. They re-educate our children to expand Islam. Trump $600 million hit two self hating Jews for protecting pro Palestinians screamers, instead of protecting Jewish students. Trump rules this country, not Biden and his dems. I don’t know why it’s beyond Mish’s ability to accept it and understand ?
Read the pinned comment by Terry,
You have an extreme case of TDS Type II.
Those who disagree with u and 90% of your commentators have an extreme
TDS Type II. I deserve death by hanging, like William Joyce – Lord Hawl Hawl, a British & Irish American and a nazi traitor, who served Hitler, spreading anti British props during WWII. People who suffer from heart disease shouldn’t aggravate themselves and pit their readers against each other 2/3 times per day. My comment isn’t about Trump. It’s about
Harvard and other elite colleges.
My comment is about the Constitution. You and your ilk don’t give a damn if Trump trashes it.
Heck, I don’t care for Harvard and I think all funding should be cut off. But Congress approved that funding, not me.
You keep responding with total bullshit when this is 1) a constitutional issue and 2) an economic issue and 3) a petty vindictive move by Trump.
That you cannot see any of this is proof of TDS type II.
Radical libertarian cannot run any country. Harvard leaders didn’t protect Jewish students. Trump is vindictive bc he wants to teach them a lesson. These spineless leaders didn’t do their job. The hate of Jews is growing . Last week two Israeli diplomats were assassinated in DC by a radical pro palestinians. Radical dems judges cannot stop a president. Without the 10% your blog it is pretty boring, especially your childish caricatures.
Harvard is doing what Trump is doing, taking in gifts, students, and money from the MIddle East because that’s where the money is at Michael. Those oil rich countries can gift $400 million dollar planes to presidents and universities. It’s all about money and profits.
“your blog it is pretty boring, especially your childish caricatures.”
Then why are you here everyday posting?
I wish he wasn’t. I really must get round to blocking his BS which is always fact laden, unfortunately with incorrect facts.
And yet here you (still) are.
this guy michael engel is just brutally transparent as a paid shill. i have blocked him many times and his name keeps popping up on each thread. keep up the honest reporting mish.
It was Haw Haw, can you ever get any of your facts rights regarding Europe. You have so little credibility left I would respectfully suggest you stop posting and engage in something more productive.
I know it’s beyond your pay scale repeat Harvard future world leaders.not the maga crowd,
Trump is not a king, he doesn’t rule the country. Hopefully that’s not really what you meant.
Brilliant and on point argument by Mish, as always. As for those counting on “Team Trump” to restore “law” and “justice” in America, good luck….just this week – Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security:
Habeas corpus gives Trump the right to remove people from this country.
Foreigners who hate America or Israel have a better chance of getting in than a White or Asian American with a perfect GPA and perfect SAT’s. So that eliminates Harvard as the gatekeeper.
The problem won’t go away until Harvard returns to accomplishment based admissions. In other words, NEVER. However, they are screwing themselves in the long run as a Harvard degree will never mean as much as it once did. Good luck getting a real job with a diploma from Harvard.
The US is going through dying pains. During this dying process of instability, chaos & corruption someone always rises to try & become a dictator.
Famous last words.
Apparently, to some folks, the constitution, deficits, and debt only apply when Democrats are in power. (although we still are awaiting Paul and Ringo’s opinion)
And they are still alive !!! And working together
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/05/06/paul-mccartney-and-ringo-starr-have-set-their-next-collaboration/
It’s so stupid the future queen of Belgium fell into this stupidity.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/23/belgium-future-queen-caught-up-harvard-foreign-student-ban
Thanks
Added that as an addendum
The educational welfare of Belgium nobility is very important us as a nation.
Actually it is. Look at the Dollar holdings and U.S. banking relations with Belgium.
No but it exemplifies how your nation has embarked on the road to stupidity.
She may get creeped out, and not want to return here.
There’s always Oxford or Cambridge.
“Who Should Be Responsible for Foreign Student Visas?”
DHS, right? Or should we let Universities handle student visas?
It’s funny how the NYT seems to have the opposite take:
How the Trump Administration Has the Upper Hand Against Harvard – The New York Times
You are trying to somewhat rationally explain Fat Donnie’s actions.
You cannot as he is a senile psychopath.