Trump Administration Revokes Harvard University’s Right to Enroll Foreign Students
Cambridge, In a sweeping and controversial move, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification to enroll international students, citing national security concerns and alleged non-compliance with federal oversight.
The decision affects over 6,800 international students currently enrolled at Harvard and has sent shockwaves through the global academic community.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the revocation Thursday, stating that Harvard had failed to provide requested documentation and accusing the institution of fostering antisemitism and maintaining ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the university would need to comply with extensive federal requests within 72 hours in order to regain its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Allegations and Government Response
According to a DHS statement, Harvard allegedly refused to turn over protest-related materials, including video footage and attendance records, which the administration claims are necessary for national security investigations.
The government has also accused the university of enabling anti-American sentiment and hosting foreign operatives under the guise of academic exchange.
This move comes amid a broader federal campaign targeting elite universities, which includes threats to revoke tax-exempt status, freezing of federal research grants, and a sweeping crackdown on student visas.
Thousands of international students across the country have already had their visas revoked in recent months, especially those associated with pro-Palestinian protests.
Harvard University condemned the action as “politically motivated, unlawful, and profoundly damaging to the American higher education system.”
In a strongly worded statement, university officials vowed to challenge the decision in court.
“This decision represents a direct assault on academic freedom and the principles of global scholarship. It puts at risk the educational future of thousands of students and undermines the United States’ reputation as a beacon of international learning,” the university said.
Harvard is expected to file a federal lawsuit as early as next week, arguing that the administration’s actions violate due process and the institution’s constitutional rights.
The revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students is unprecedented in U.S. history and marks an escalation in the administration’s campaign against institutions it sees as politically hostile.
Critics argue that the move weaponizes immigration policy to stifle dissent and punish ideological opponents.
“This is not about national security—it’s about control,” said an immigration policy expert at the American Council on Education. “Targeting students and scholars from abroad harms U.S. interests more than it protects them.”
Meanwhile, international students currently enrolled at Harvard are being advised to seek legal counsel and consider transferring to other certified institutions to maintain their visa status.
The Biden administration reversed similar Trump-era policies in the past, but with Trump back in office, tensions between academia and Washington appear to be at an all-time high.
