The Trump administration on Thursday officially revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students, a drastic move aimed at penalizing the prestigious institution for refusing to comply with the administration’s policy demands. This decision means that Harvard can no longer admit foreign students, and existing international students must either transfer to other schools or risk losing their legal status in the United States.
The announcement came as thousands of students worldwide were preparing to join Harvard, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the university’s refusal to provide student conduct records requested last month led to the termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
This development threatens more than a quarter of Harvard’s international student population, which numbers nearly 6,800 out of roughly 28,000 enrolled students for the 2024-25 academic year. The move has sparked widespread concern among students, faculty, and academic leaders who fear it could severely damage Harvard’s academic standing.
According to X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the termination of Harvard’s SEVP certification due to the university’s failure to submit five years’ worth of records related to international students’ conduct within a 72-hour deadline.
This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.
It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
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Further, according to CNN, the records sought include any documentation of protests or activities deemed “illegal, dangerous or violent,” particularly focusing on protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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The Trump administration has accused Harvard of fostering an unsafe campus environment hostile to Jewish students while allegedly promoting pro-Hamas sympathies and maintaining “racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ practices.” Harvard has condemned the revocation as unlawful and has vowed to fight the decision, emphasizing its commitment to hosting international students who contribute significantly to the university’s academic community.
Many students are now left in limbo, unsure of their future at Harvard. Some international students worry about their visa status and potential need to transfer, while others express fears over losing access to financial aid and internships. Faculty members have warned that a mass exodus of foreign students could cripple research labs and diminish the university’s overall academic excellence.
Harvard’s struggle highlights a broader tension between higher education institutions and the Trump administration, which has imposed similar demands on other universities. The White House insists that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and has made Harvard a high-profile example to encourage compliance.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on information available from multiple sources at the time of writing. We strive for accuracy but encourage readers to verify facts independently as situations may evolve. The views expressed are those of the sources quoted and do not necessarily reflect our own.
