The U.S. government has targeted Harvard University again, linking it to China

In recent years, the U.S. government has repeatedly hyped the so-called "Chinese influence infiltrating American universities," politicizing education and academic cooperation. On July 20 local time, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a new investigation into Harvard University, claiming that certain scholarship programs at the university related to China might exclude American citizens, potentially violating civil rights laws. Even U.S. media have described the DOJ's legal reasoning in this case as quite unusual.

According to a DOJ statement, its Civil Rights Division has launched a "compliance review" focused on investigating Harvard's "scholarship programs and practices with Chinese backgrounds." The DOJ stated that some programs may provide funding based on nationality to foreign students, thereby "potentially harming other students, including U.S. citizens."

The DOJ also claimed that Harvard accepted Chinese funds with restrictions attached, and according to donors' requirements, allocated certain scholarships exclusively to students from specific countries.

Dylan, a DOJ official responsible for civil rights matters, said schools "should not simultaneously accept federal funds while accepting foreign funds and awarding scholarships designed to intentionally exclude American citizens."

However, the DOJ also emphasized that it has "not reached any conclusions yet" and did not name specific scholarship programs or donors involved.

In response to these allegations, Harvard University stated that it legally discloses foreign donations and "does not unlawfully discriminate against students based on race, ethnicity, or nationality." The university said it is reviewing the DOJ’s letter and will communicate with the government regarding the relevant issues.

Public records show that U.S. law requires institutions to report foreign donations exceeding $250,000 annually. Harvard stated that it has consistently submitted the required reports for decades.

Federal disclosure data indicate that Harvard has received approximately $4.5 billion in foreign funding since 1986. While the DOJ cited these figures in its statement, it did not clarify any direct connection between this funding and the alleged investigation projects.

Notably, Harvard is one of the few universities in the United States that offers international students the same "need-based aid" policy as domestic students. According to the university’s website, federal financial aid is available only to U.S. students, while Harvard uses its own institutional funds and private donations to provide scholarships and financial aid to international students. Some foreign donations are indeed designated for students from their home countries—a practice not uncommon among U.S. higher education institutions.

AP reported that the DOJ’s legal logic in this case is rare: it argues that "directing private donations toward students from specific countries may constitute a civil rights violation against American students."

The report analyzes that this investigation appears more like part of the long-standing conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard, rather than being solely about scholarship programs.

Over the past year, the Trump administration has launched multiple investigations into Harvard and other universities under the pretext of "anti-Semitism," "diversity policies," and "transgender policies," threatening to freeze federal research funding. Previously, a federal court had already halted the government’s plan to cut off billions of dollars in research funding to Harvard.

With ongoing legal disputes unresolved, the Trump administration is now attempting to exert further pressure through foreign funding, international student admissions, and similar avenues—such as restricting Harvard’s ability to admit foreign students and military personnel, and scrutinizing its admissions procedures.

In recent years, the U.S. government has increasingly used "national security" as a justification to intensify scrutiny of foreign funding and international collaboration in higher education, particularly by amplifying the narrative around "Chinese influence." From restricting scientific research partnerships to reviewing international students, and now linking scholarship programs to alleged "discrimination against American students," such actions by the U.S. are raising growing concerns about academic freedom and the openness of educational environments.

In response to the U.S. politicization of educational cooperation, China’s Embassy in the United States stated that Sino-U.S. educational cooperation is mutually beneficial. China has consistently maintained that normal educational and academic exchanges should not be interfered with by political factors.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871299050761483/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author