Harvard vs Trump: Canada PM’s Daughter, Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Among 7,000 Caught in Visa Crisis

An escalating dispute between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Harvard University has left approximately 7,000 international students, including high-profile names like Canada PM Mark Carney’s daughter Cleo Carney and Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, in a state of uncertainty over their academic future.

Cleo Carney recently completed her first year as an undergraduate at Harvard, pursuing studies in resource efficiency. Princess Elisabeth, heir to the Belgian throne, just finished her first year in the Master of Public Policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School and is currently back in Belgium.

The situation intensified after Harvard’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification was revoked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to reports, the revocation followed Harvard’s refusal to comply with requests by the Trump administration for details about foreign student visa holders.

In response, Harvard sued the U.S. government, stating the move violated constitutional rights and had “immediate and devastating consequences” for its international students. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the revocation, granting Harvard a restraining order that offers short-term relief.

Royal concern in Belgium
Belgium’s Royal Palace issued a cautious statement, saying it’s monitoring the situation to assess the impact on Princess Elisabeth’s ability to return to the U.S. for her second year. “It’s too early to say what this means for the princess,” said Palace spokesperson Xavier Baert.

Trump’s Allegations and Fallout
Former President Trump, along with political ally Kristi Noem, accused Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party,” allegations the university strongly denies. These accusations led to a push from the DHS to suspend the institution’s privilege of hosting foreign students.

If the revocation holds, Harvard may be unable to admit international students for two years, and currently enrolled students could be forced to transfer to other U.S. institutions to maintain their visa status.

What lies ahead?
Immigration experts suggest that students graduating this summer may still receive their degrees, but those in earlier stages of study—like Carney and Princess Elisabeth—face uncertainty over whether they can return to campus in the fall.

Harvard continues to fight the decision legally, with support from educational advocacy groups and global institutions concerned about the wider implications for international academia.