The Colorado Attack Highlights Risks: Trump’s Dramatic Immigration Orders

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at tightening immigration policies in response to a deadly attack in Colorado Springs. This decision prohibits citizens from designated “threatening” countries from entering the United States and imposes new restrictions on foreign student visas at Harvard University.

Executive Orders in Response to Terrorism

In a video posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that the recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, reinforces the critical risks posed by foreign nationals who may have entered the country unchecked. “We do not want them here,” Trump declared regarding foreign visitors who overstay their visa.

The executive order titled “Restricting Entry of Foreign Nationals for the Protection of the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National and Public Security Threats” will take effect on June 9. It imposes a complete entry ban on citizens from twelve countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Partial restrictions will also apply to citizens of seven additional nations: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Lestart, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The administration reasons that these countries have severe deficiencies in their identification and vetting systems, with some refusing to accept deported citizens and others hosting terrorist groups or having high rates of visa overstays.

Restrictions on Foreign Students at Harvard

In a second, unusual executive action, Trump ordered a suspension of the enrollment of foreign students at Harvard University, claiming that the institution “endangers national security” and has been uncooperative with federal authorities. This suspension will be in effect immediately for six months. The new order differs from a previous federal court ruling that temporarily blocked similar restrictions, as it relies on a different presidential authority and is not subject to the same judicial limits.

Under this directive, foreign students-including those from Israel-seeking to study at Harvard or participate in student exchange programs will be barred from entering the U.S. unless they meet specific national interest exemptions. The order cites Harvard’s failure to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security in providing information regarding criminal behavior, threats, or rights violations allegedly committed by foreign students.

Furthermore, Trump’s executive order criticizes Harvard for accepting foreign students while disadvantaging American citizens. The document claims that Harvard received over start billion dollars in foreign funding over the past decade, including more than $150 million from China. It alleged that the university has engaged in non-transparent collaborations that might pose military risks.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

Harvard has already filed a lawsuit against the federal government, contending that the orders infringe on constitutional rights and are politically motivated. The preliminary ruling from Judge Allison Burrows supported Harvard’s position, issuing an injunction against the implementation of the restrictions. However, the recent executive orders from Trump could prompt further legal evaluations as the situation evolves.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Columbia University, asserting it no longer meets necessary accreditation standards due to a “deliberate indifference” towards anti-Semitic harassment on campus since the Hamas attack on October 7. The U.S. Department of Education informed the university’s accrediting body that Columbia is violating federal non-discrimination laws, potentially jeopardizing its federal funding, academic recognition, and institutional reputation.

The Columbia administration stated that it is taking active steps to address the concerns raised and remains committed to combating anti-Semitism on campus.

The legal and political implications of these immigration policies, especially in light of ongoing national security concerns, are expected to unfold in the coming months, as the Biden administration remains critical of Trump’s stringent approach to immigration and local university collaborations