The Trump administration has taken a significant step affecting Harvard University by blocking its ability to enroll international students. This decision comes from the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, who claims that Harvard has fostered violence and antisemitism on campus while allegedly coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.
In a recent post on social media, Noem emphasized that universities should be held accountable for their actions and stated that admitting foreign students is a privilege, not a right. She accused Harvard of failing to act appropriately despite having opportunities to do so. As a result, the university’s certification for the Student Exchange Visitor Program has been revoked. This program allows educational institutions to host international students on various visas.
The implications of this revocation are serious. Harvard will not only be unable to accept new international students, but current international students will also have to transfer to another university to maintain their non-immigrant status. Harvard has responded by calling the action unlawful and retaliatory. The university is committed to supporting its international community, which includes students from over 140 countries.
This action marks a troubling escalation in a broader conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration. Harvard has resisted demands related to its diversity programs and its response to pro-Palestine protests, which the administration has characterized as antisemitic. In response to this standoff, the federal government has already cut over $2.6 billion in funding and grants to the university.
Harvard President Alan Garber has reached out to alumni for support, launching new fundraising initiatives to help offset the financial impact of these cuts. Legal experts, like immigration lawyer Leon Fresco, have pointed out that the university has grounds to challenge the revocation of its program, as the law requires specific procedures to be followed.
Earlier this year, Noem had already threatened to revoke Harvard’s certification, citing concerns over the activities of foreign students on campus. This threat came amid a nationwide crackdown on pro-Palestine protests at universities, which the administration has linked to rising antisemitism.
The situation at Harvard reflects a larger trend of increasing scrutiny and pressure on universities from the federal government. The administration’s actions are seen by many as part of a broader strategy to influence higher education institutions and their policies. There are currently over 7,400 schools in the U.S. approved for the Student Exchange Visitor Program, and the government retains the authority to review these approvals at any time.