On Thursday, May 22nd, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students, escalating tensions between the federal government and the Ivy League institution.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the immediate termination of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), affecting nearly 6,800 international students. Those currently enrolled must transfer to other institutions to maintain their visa status. The decision is expected to cause major disruptions to Harvard’s academic and research operations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attributed the action to Harvard’s refusal to meet federal demands. The administration cited concerns that the university was fostering violence, promoting antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. In a post on X, Noem emphasized, “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”
The DHS described the action as a warning to other academic institutions. According to Noem, Harvard was given several opportunities to comply with federal directives but declined. The conflict originated from requirements set by the administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. These included changes to faculty hiring, admissions processes, and the implementation of ideological audits. Harvard’s refusal to adopt the measures led to the withdrawal of over $2 billion in federal research funding. In response, the university filed a lawsuit against the administration.
Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton questioned the legality of the decision and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to welcoming international students and scholars from more than 140 countries. He described their role as vital to both the university and the nation.
