Harvard University described yesterday's order by US President Donald Trump to ban the issuance of visas to foreign students wishing to study at the university as “repressive“ amid the escalating battle between higher education institutions and the US president, Agence France-Presse reported, BTA reported.
“This is another illegal repressive measure taken by the administration, in violation of Harvard's rights under the (force of) the First Amendment. "Harvard will continue to protect its international students," a university spokesman said.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Last month, the U.S. State Department ordered all its consular offices abroad to begin additional screening of Harvard student visa applicants by examining their social media profiles.