Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and Cleo Carney, daughter of Canada’s Prime Minister, are among the international students affected by Harvard’s visa dispute with the Trump administration. | X
Donald Trump’s latest crackdown has triggered a legal and diplomatic storm, with Harvard University and thousands of international students caught in the crossfire. Among them are Cleo Carney, daughter of Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, heir to the Belgian throne.
Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Visa Policy
On Friday, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging its decision to revoke the school’s ability to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Harvard argued the move was unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment and posing “immediate and devastating” effects on around 7,000 foreign students.
The legal action prompted swift judicial intervention. A U.S. judge issued a temporary restraining order, halting the Trump administration’s enforcement of the policy.
Cleo Carney: Canadian PM’s Daughter Among Those Affected
Among the thousands of individuals facing uncertainty is Cleo Carney, the daughter of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. She just completed her first academic year as an undergraduate in Harvard’s Resource Efficiency Program. According to The Canadian Press, her academic status and ability to continue remain uncertain pending further legal outcomes.
Princess Elisabeth: Belgium’s Future Monarch in Limbo
Additionally impacted is Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who recently completed her first year of a Master of Public Policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Now back in Belgium, the 23-year-old future queen is awaiting clarity on whether she can return to Harvard for her second year.
Belgium’s Royal Palace acknowledged the uncertainty. “We’re looking into the situation to see what kind of impact this decision might have on the princess—or if it will at all. It’s too early to say,” palace spokesperson Xavier Baert told the Associated Press.
Why Was Harvard Targeted?
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the SEVP revocation came after Harvard failed to comply with a request by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for information about certain international students. The university declined, citing privacy and institutional policy concerns, prompting the federal action.
A Growing Standoff
As the situation develops, the outcome of Harvard’s lawsuit may set a precedent for how international students are treated in the U.S. under shifting immigration policies. For now, students like Cleo Carney and Princess Elisabeth and their families and nations wait anxiously for resolution.
