In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students — a decision that could force thousands of foreign students to leave the country or transfer to other institutions.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the decision on Thursday, alleging that Harvard has created an unsafe campus environment by allowing what it described as “anti-American and pro-terrorist agitators” to target Jewish students. The department also accused the university of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, claiming it hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024.
“As a result, Harvard is no longer permitted to enroll foreign students, and current international students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the department stated.
The move affects nearly 6,800 international students — more than a quarter of Harvard’s student body — currently studying at the university’s Cambridge, Massachusetts campus. Most are graduate students from over 100 countries.
Harvard called the action unlawful and voiced deep concern about its implications for the academic community. “This retaliatory measure threatens to cause significant harm to the Harvard community and to the country, while undermining our academic and research mission,” the university said in a statement.
The dispute stems from an April 16 letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding that Harvard provide detailed information about foreign students allegedly involved in violence or protests that could lead to deportation.
In a follow-up letter sent Thursday, Noem said the penalty was the “unfortunate result of Harvard’s failure to comply with basic reporting requirements.” She added that the university could regain its certification if it submits extensive records — including audio and video footage — of foreign students participating in protests or other “dangerous” activities within 72 hours.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said in a statement.
The revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) removes its legal authority to sponsor student visas — a dramatic escalation in tensions between the federal government and one of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions.
