美国国务院周三表示，将调查哈佛大学参与的外国学生和学者签证项目。这是特朗普政府针对这所常春藤盟校采取的一系列行动中的最新举措。

美国国务卿马可·卢比奥于周三宣布启动调查，并在声明中表示：“美国人民有权要求本国大学维护国家安全、遵守法律，并为所有学生提供安全的学习环境。”

此次调查聚焦于哈佛大学作为交流访问学者项目（Exchange Visitor Program）担保方的参与情况。该项目向外国学生、教授及研究人员颁发J-1签证，要求其完成访学后返回母国。部分J-1签证持有者须在母国居住至少两年，方可申请其他赴美签证。

卢比奥表示，为保留赞助交换访客的资格，赞助方必须遵守所有法规，包括以不损害美国外交政策目标或国家安全利益的方式开展项目。他补充说，此次调查将"确保国务院的项目不会违背我们国家的利益"。声明未具体说明哈佛大学参与该项目的哪些方面正在接受调查。

哈佛大学在一份声明中表示，此次调查是"政府采取的又一报复性举措，侵犯了哈佛大学依据《第一修正案》享有的权利。"

哈佛大学在一份声明中表示："我们将继续招收并资助国际学者、研究人员及学生，保护这一国际社群，并支持他们在今年秋季申请美国签证及到校就读。哈佛大学承诺持续遵守《交流访问学者项目》的相关规定。"

上周，国土安全部部长克里斯蒂·诺姆宣布，该部门将向哈佛大学发出传票，要求其提供与《学生访问和交流计划》认证相关的外国学生信息。

自特朗普总统六个月前就职以来，哈佛大学与特朗普政府之间的争端不断升级。

6月，特朗普总统签署公告，暂停计划前往哈佛大学的外国学生或交流访问学者的入境，除非其政府认定这些人的入境"符合国家利益"。两小时内，波士顿一名联邦法官发布命令，暂时阻止该公告生效。

这一公告发布前，特朗普政府于4月要求哈佛大学提交其外国学生签证持有者涉嫌"非法和暴力"活动的详细记录。校方表示已配合该要求，但美国国土安全部称其提交的材料"不充分"，并宣布该校不得再招收国际学生。上月，一名联邦法官裁定禁止特朗普政府撤销哈佛招收外国学生的资格。

根据学校数据，哈佛大学约四分之一的学生来自国际。

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The State Department said Wednesday that it would be investigating Harvard University's participation in a visa program for foreign students and academics, the latest in a series of actions the Trump administration has taken targeting the Ivy League school.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the investigation on Wednesday, saying in a statement that "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."

The investigation centers around Harvard's participation as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program , which issues J-1 visas to foreign students, professors and researchers who are expected to return to their home countries. Some J-1 visa holders are required to return to their countries for at least two years before being eligible for other visas to enter the U.S.

"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," Rubio said, adding that the investigation "will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation's interests." The statement did not specify which aspects of Harvard's participation in the program is under investigation.

In a statement, Harvard said the probe is "yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights."

"Harvard continues to enroll and sponsor international scholars, researchers, and students, and will protect its international community and support them as they apply for U.S. visas and travel to campus this fall," the university said in a statement. "The University is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations."

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the department would be subpoenaing Harvard for information about its foreign students related to its Harvard's certification under the Student Visitor and Exchange Program.

Harvard and the Trump administration have been engaged in an escalating dispute since Mr. Trump took office six months ago.

In June, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending the entry of foreign students or exchange visitors planning to go to Harvard, unless his administration determines their entry "would be in the national interest." Within two hours, a federal judge in Boston issued an order temporarily blocking the order from going into effect.

That proclamation came after the Trump administration in April demanded Harvard hand over detailed records on its foreign student visa holders' alleged "illegal and violent" activities. The university said it had complied with the order, but the Department of Homeland Security said it was "insufficient" and said the school could no longer enroll international students . A federal judge last month barred the Trump administration from revoking the school's ability to enroll foreign students.

About one in four students at Harvard is international, according to school data .

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