In a dramatic escalation of its clash with elite academic institutions, the Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, citing noncompliance with federal demands, according to a CNN report. The move, spearheaded by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, affects thousands of students and threatens Harvard’s standing as a global academic powerhouse.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) had been terminated. This means Harvard can no longer admit new international students, and existing ones must transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal visa status.
“Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, accusing the Ivy League university of fostering an environment hostile to American and Jewish students.
Background to the Conflict
The administration claims Harvard refused to turn over student conduct records of foreign nationals involved in protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, which had been requested in April. The White House also alleged that the university had failed to address antisemitism and continues to promote “racist diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)” practices.
The confrontation intensified as Harvard resisted several controversial demands, including an “audit” of faculty and student viewpoints — actions the university claims infringe on constitutional rights and violate academic freedom.
In a strong rebuttal, Harvard called the revocation of SEVP certification “unlawful” and vowed to defend the rights of its international community, which comprises 6,793 students, or 27.2% of its 2024-25 enrollment.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country,” said Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton. “It undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Federal Retaliation Escalates
In addition to cutting SEVP ties, the Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard and is reportedly preparing to rescind the university’s tax-exempt status, CNN reported.
Secretary Noem, who has been vocally critical of higher education institutions, said on Fox News, “This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together.”
Harvard has made some adjustments, such as renaming its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging to “Community and Campus Life”, but maintains that the administration’s latest actions exceed federal authority.
“Harvard is being made an example,” said one academic expert, “but this could open a legal and political firestorm affecting every major university in the country.”
Wider Implications
This move has sent shockwaves across the academic world, as other universities under scrutiny from the Trump administration may now face similar punitive actions. Faculty and legal experts warn that this step could erode the United States’ role as a global leader in education and chill free expression on campuses nationwide.
The legal battle between Harvard and the administration is expected to escalate in the coming weeks, with the university preparing to challenge the SEVP decertification and funding freezes in federal court. Meanwhile, the fate of nearly 10,000 international students and scholars at Harvard hangs in the balance.