'We want those names and countries': Trump defends move to block foreign students at Harvard

US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's decision to block foreign students at Harvard University after a judge suspended this move and said that almost 31% of their students are from foreign lands who do not pay towards the students' education.

In a post on Truth Social, he also said that the university has been unresponsive to his administration's requests for information about these students.

"Why isn't Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student's education, nor do they ever intend to. Nobody told us that!", Trump stated.

He continued, "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. We want those names and countries. Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!"

On Friday, a US court halted the administration's attempt to withdraw Harvard's authorisation for international student enrolment, interrupting White House efforts to align academic practices with Trump's policies.

Harvard submitted a legal complaint in Boston federal court on Friday, describing the revocation as a "blatant violation" of the US Constitution and federal legislation, noting its "immediate and devastating effect" on the institution and over 7,000 visa holders.

"With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body, international students who contribute significantly to the university and its mission," Harvard stated.

Previously, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem notified Harvard of its immediate Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification revocation.