U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration’s controversial move to block Harvard University from admitting foreign students, following a federal court decision that temporarily halted the enforcement of the directive.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized Harvard for its high percentage of international students—reportedly 31%—while alleging that many of them receive little to no financial support from their home countries.

“We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard billions of dollars, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming,” the president wrote.

The controversy erupted after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard’s authority to enroll foreign nationals, citing concerns over transparency and national security. Noem demanded the university disclose information on visa-holding students allegedly linked to “illegal and violent activities,” warning of severe penalties for non-compliance.

Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the federal government’s actions were “arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and unconstitutional.” A federal judge swiftly intervened, issuing a temporary injunction that allows the university to continue admitting foreign students while legal proceedings unfold.

The standoff marks a broader escalation in the administration’s crackdown on higher education institutions. Federal officials have accused several universities of fostering anti-Semitism and placing undue emphasis on diversity programs. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has revoked visas and initiated deportation proceedings against international students allegedly linked to pro-Palestinian protests, claiming ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist group.

The administration’s hardline stance has already had financial repercussions. Last month, it froze $2.2 billion in federal funding allocated to Harvard, and earlier this month, the Department of Education warned that research grants could also be cut off entirely.

As the legal battle intensifies, higher education advocates and civil liberties groups are voicing alarm, warning that the administration’s policies threaten academic freedom and the global standing of American universities.