The US State Department is launching an investigation into Harvard University's visiting scholar program.

The US State Department announced on the 23rd that it is investigating Harvard University's continued eligibility as a sponsor of exchange visitor programs, the latest move by the Trump administration to restrict the qualification of this prominent American university to recruit overseas students. Secretary of State Pompeo said in a statement that participants in exchange visitor programs must comply with all regulations to ensure that the program operates "without compromising US foreign policy objectives or harming national security interests." In response to this latest move by the government, a spokesperson for Harvard University said in a statement that the investigation was a "retaliatory action taken by the US government," infringing on Harvard's legitimate rights. The spokesperson also emphasized that Harvard has always been committed to complying with the relevant regulations of the exchange visitor program.