The Trump administration on Thursday barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, intensifying a conflict over academic freedom, campus protests, and federal oversight.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively prohibiting the university from admitting foreign students for the upcoming academic year. Current international students have been given 72 hours to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their visa status.
International students constitute approximately 27.2% of Harvard’s student body, amounting to around 6,800 individuals.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified the decision by citing Harvard’s alleged refusal to provide information on “illegal and violent activities” of foreign students and its handling of antisemitism on campus. The administration also accused Harvard of fostering anti-American sentiments and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party.
In response, Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the university would not “surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” emphasizing the institution’s commitment to academic freedom and legal compliance.
This move follows previous tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration, including the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funding and threats to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. The international academic community has expressed concern over the implications of this decision, warning that it could undermine the United States’ reputation as a destination for higher education and research. As the situation develops, Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions, seeking to protect its autonomy and the rights of its international students.