The Trump administration has stripped Harvard University of its ability to enroll international students. The decision, announced by homeland security secretary Kristi Noem , targets one of the world’s most prestigious universities and puts nearly 6,800 foreign students-over a quarter of Harvard’s enrollment—at risk of losing their legal status in the United States.
The administration’s action is part of a broader political and ideological conflict between President Donald Trump and elite US institutions that his administration accuses of promoting antisemitism, harboring pro-Hamas sympathies, and enforcing discriminatory diversity policies. Harvard, in turn, has called the action “unlawful” and a serious threat to its academic and research mission, warning that it undermines not only the institution but also the US higher education system as a whole.
Here is all you need to know
What exactly did the Trump administration do to Harvard?
The administration revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which means “Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” according to Homeland Security.
Why did the government take this action?
According to homeland security Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard failed to provide requested records about its foreign students. Noem stated the university was “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ policies.”
What happens to the foreign students currently enrolled at Harvard?
Students who are graduating this semester may do so, but those who haven’t completed their degrees “need to transfer to another university,” or they risk losing their legal right to remain in the US, according to the government.
Is there any way for Harvard to regain its ability to host international students?
Yes. Noem said Harvard could restore its SEVP certification if it complies within 72 hours by producing extensive documentation. The demands include “disciplinary records for international students, plus any audio and video recordings of protest activity.”
Has Harvard responded?
Yes. Harvard has called the move “unlawful” and said it “undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university added it is “working to provide guidance to affected students.”
Is this kind of visa revocation common?
No, experts say this is highly unusual. “I've never seen it revoked for any reason besides the administrative issues listed in the statute,” said Sarah Spreitzer of the American Council on Education. “This is unprecedented.”
Is this action part of a larger pattern?
Yes. This escalation follows earlier moves by the Trump administration to defund Harvard’s research, freeze $3 billion in grants, and publicly criticize the university’s leadership. Noem stated, “This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together.”
How are students reacting?
There is widespread uncertainty and fear. One student told AFP, “Everyone’s panicking a bit.” Another said, “It’s scary and it’s saddening... getting into the school has been the greatest privilege of my life.”
What legal authority does the government have in this matter?
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to certify or decertify universities under SEVP. Institutions must meet certain legal and operational standards, and “it is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students,” Noem emphasized.
What’s at stake for other universities?
Noem warned this could happen to others. “Absolutely, we are” considering similar actions at other institutions, she said, citing Columbia University as a possible next target.
How does this impact Harvard financially and academically?
International students contribute significantly to tuition revenue. The administration has also cut billions in federal research grants. One analyst called the latest action “just another financial hit on top of several hits that have already come for big research universities.”
What do critics say about the move?
Critics argue it’s a politically motivated overreach. Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education called it an “illegal, small-minded” decision. A Harvard student group said, “Trump's attack on international students is textbook authoritarianism.”
What happens next?
Harvard has already filed lawsuits over previous actions. Legal experts expect this latest move could also face court challenges, and federal judges have recently ruled that changes to student visa status must follow proper procedures.
(With inputs from agencies)
The administration’s action is part of a broader political and ideological conflict between President Donald Trump and elite US institutions that his administration accuses of promoting antisemitism, harboring pro-Hamas sympathies, and enforcing discriminatory diversity policies. Harvard, in turn, has called the action “unlawful” and a serious threat to its academic and research mission, warning that it undermines not only the institution but also the US higher education system as a whole.
Here is all you need to know
What exactly did the Trump administration do to Harvard?
The administration revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which means “Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” according to Homeland Security.
Why did the government take this action?
According to homeland security Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard failed to provide requested records about its foreign students. Noem stated the university was “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ policies.”
What happens to the foreign students currently enrolled at Harvard?
Students who are graduating this semester may do so, but those who haven’t completed their degrees “need to transfer to another university,” or they risk losing their legal right to remain in the US, according to the government.
Is there any way for Harvard to regain its ability to host international students?
Yes. Noem said Harvard could restore its SEVP certification if it complies within 72 hours by producing extensive documentation. The demands include “disciplinary records for international students, plus any audio and video recordings of protest activity.”
Has Harvard responded?
Yes. Harvard has called the move “unlawful” and said it “undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university added it is “working to provide guidance to affected students.”
Is this kind of visa revocation common?
No, experts say this is highly unusual. “I've never seen it revoked for any reason besides the administrative issues listed in the statute,” said Sarah Spreitzer of the American Council on Education. “This is unprecedented.”
Is this action part of a larger pattern?
Yes. This escalation follows earlier moves by the Trump administration to defund Harvard’s research, freeze $3 billion in grants, and publicly criticize the university’s leadership. Noem stated, “This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together.”
How are students reacting?
There is widespread uncertainty and fear. One student told AFP, “Everyone’s panicking a bit.” Another said, “It’s scary and it’s saddening... getting into the school has been the greatest privilege of my life.”
What legal authority does the government have in this matter?
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to certify or decertify universities under SEVP. Institutions must meet certain legal and operational standards, and “it is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students,” Noem emphasized.
What’s at stake for other universities?
Noem warned this could happen to others. “Absolutely, we are” considering similar actions at other institutions, she said, citing Columbia University as a possible next target.
How does this impact Harvard financially and academically?
International students contribute significantly to tuition revenue. The administration has also cut billions in federal research grants. One analyst called the latest action “just another financial hit on top of several hits that have already come for big research universities.”
What do critics say about the move?
Critics argue it’s a politically motivated overreach. Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education called it an “illegal, small-minded” decision. A Harvard student group said, “Trump's attack on international students is textbook authoritarianism.”
What happens next?
Harvard has already filed lawsuits over previous actions. Legal experts expect this latest move could also face court challenges, and federal judges have recently ruled that changes to student visa status must follow proper procedures.
(With inputs from agencies)
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