Trump administration halts Harvard University’s eligibility to enrol Int'l students: NYT report
New York, May 22 (PTI): In an unprecedented development, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s eligibility to enrol international students.
A report in the New York Times cited a letter sent to Harvard University by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.
In the letter, Noem writes, “I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked.”
The NYT report said the development is a major escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure the college to fall in line with the president’s agenda.
The administration notified Harvard about the decision after a “back-and-forth” in recent days “over the legality of a sprawling records request as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s investigation,” the report said, citing people with knowledge of the negotiations.
In April, Noem had written a “scathing letter” demanding detailed records on Harvard’s foreign student visa holders’ illegal and violent activities by April 30.
The DHS had said that Harvard would otherwise face immediate loss of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, a DHS news release had said.
“Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security,” Noem had said.
“With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvard’s position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory. America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars.”
The DHS had said that since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Harvard’s foreign visa-holding rioters and faculty have spewed antisemitic hate, targeting Jewish students.
“With a USD 53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos — DHS won’t. And if Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students.”
American universities can host international students on student visas only if they have certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
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TN surpasses Gujarat, Maharashtra to become India''s top textile exporter
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu has emerged as India's top state in textile exports, recording shipments worth USD 7,997.17 million for the fiscal year 2024-25, which is an increase of 29.12 per cent over the last four years, the government said.
The state has witnessed a 29 per cent increase in export value in the last four years, an official release said.
In 2020-21, Tamil Nadu's textile exports stood at USD 6,193 million.
Chief Minister M K Stalin said Tamil Nadu has successfully outpaced competitors like Gujarat and Maharashtra to secure the first position.
"Tamil Nadu's export volume of textiles, which was USD 6,193.39 million in 2020-21 due to the planned actions of the Dravidian Model government, rose to USD 7,997.17 million in the next four years. Overall, in India's exports, Tamil Nadu accounts for 21.84 per cent," he wrote in a social media post.
As per the National-Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade data, the value of textile goods shipped from India was USD 36,610 million, of which Tamil Nadu accounted for USD 7,997.17 million.
The National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade is a dedicated platform launched by the Centre to provide real-time comprehensive data on foreign trade.
"Tamil Nadu is in first place in India in textile export," the release said.
The state has emerged at the top with higher exports among all other states, the release said, adding that schemes implemented by every government department led to a multifaceted growth of the State.
Gujarat bagged the second rank with exports of USD 5,646.01 million followed by Maharashtra at USD 3,831.29 million, it added.
