The Donald Trump administration Wednesday announced opening a new investigation into Harvard University’s use of international visas amid the ongoing faceoff. This is the the third aggressive action from the government between the administration and the university. “.@StateDept is opening an investigation into Harvard’s authority to sponsor exchange visas. Visa sponsorship is a privilege, and sponsors whose conduct tarnishes our nation’s interests will lose that privilege,” secretary of state Marco Rubio announced. Marco Rubio shot off a letter to Dr Alan M Garber, the president of Harvard, notifying him about the fresh investigation. The letter did not mention any specific allegations of wrongdoing, the New York Times reported. It said the inquiry was necessary to assist the department in meeting its policy objectives.

What is the international visa program?

The investigation targets Exchange Visitor Program under which Harvard has many students, professors and interns. Rubio gave the university a one-week deadline to submit the list of university records related to the student visa program. He said the department plans to interview university staff associated with the program and also may want to speak with visa holders.“All sponsors participating in this program are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded,” Rubio said in Wednesday’s statement.“To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States,” he added.“The American people have the right to expect their universities to uphold national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students,” Rubio said.

Harvard says it’s another retaliatory step

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said this new investigation is another retaliatory step violating Harvard’s First Amendment rights. The State Department investigation specifically targets people at Harvard under J-1 visas, which the university says is “to bring foreign nationals as professors, researchers, specialists and students to the University.” It is separate from the F-1 visa program that is strictly for students and is largely administered by the Department of Homeland Security.