The Trump administration has put a halt to new student visa interviews as it contemplates asking international students to submit to social media vetting as part of their application to study in the United States.

Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, suspended Harvard's admission of foreign nationals this week, casting doubt on the future of thousands of students and the significant revenue stream they generate.

Last month, she had threatened to bar foreign students from attending the institution unless it produced documents pertaining to the "illegal and violent activities" of visa holders. But immediately after the institution sued to "stop the government’s unjust, arbitrary, unlawful, and illegal action," a court suspended the policy. A hearing for an injunction is set for Thursday, per a court filing.

The attempted ban on foreign students jeopardizes the futures of thousands of Harvard scholars and students, according to a statement from Harvard President Alan Garber. For the innumerable others who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their ambitions, it also acts as a warning at schools and institutions around the country.

Along with undermining the autonomy of prestigious US universities, which draw top students from around the globe and generate a large portion of the nation's profitable scientific research, Trump has also attempted to destroy the government's long-standing soft power instruments, such as the Voice of America radio network and humanitarian aid.

The US government plans to end any outstanding financial contracts with Harvard, a top official said Tuesday, in the latest effort by President Donald Trump to force the prestigious university to be under exceptional monitoring.

"The administration intends to write to federal agencies today to ask them to identify any contracts with Harvard and ask whether they could be terminated or redirected," the person said.

A prohibition on students deemed "indifferent to the national values" and a check of political opinions on campus are just two of the drastic measures that Harvard has refused to allow.

Over the past several weeks, the prestigious educational stronghold has seen billions of dollars in federal funds stopped and an attempt to stop accepting international students halted by a court decision last Friday.

In retaliation, the university claims that the Trump attacks violate the constitution and would impair its capacity to operate.