The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, accusing the Ivy League institution of failing to comply with federal demands for records related to student behavior at recent campus protests. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the move follows the university's refusal to turn over conduct and disciplinary information for foreign nationals enrolled under student visas, and is part of a broader federal campaign to address antisemitism and dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in higher education.
"Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated Thursday. Noem added that Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification had been revoked due to "pro-terrorist conduct" during campus protests and the school's "refusal to comply" with lawful requests.
"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem said. "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students."
In a letter addressed to Maureen Martin, Harvard's director of immigration services, Noem wrote: "As a result of your brazen refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment... you have lost this privilege."
The requested materials included five years' worth of disciplinary records for student visa holders, protest-related surveillance footage, and any documentation of illegal or dangerous conduct involving foreign students. DHS had previously warned the university it had 72 hours to comply to retain its SEVP certification.
Harvard denounced the DHS decision as "unlawful" and "retaliatory." University spokesperson Jason Newton said, "We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University - and this nation - immeasurably. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."
The university's international student population totals 6,793, representing 27.2% of its 2024-2025 enrollment. More than 9,900 individuals, including visiting scholars, comprise Harvard's broader international academic community.
The decision could impact thousands of lives and research programs, as foreign students are now required to transfer or face loss of legal status ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year. At least a dozen Harvard students have already had their authorization to study in the U.S. revoked over protest involvement.
"Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students, that the Trump administration will enforce the law and root out the evils of antisemitism in society and campuses," Noem said.
The crackdown follows months of protests across U.S. campuses, sparked by Israel's offensive in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Harvard had come under scrutiny for allowing encampments and pro-Palestinian demonstrations that critics allege created hostile conditions for Jewish students.
The administration has already frozen nearly $3 billion in federal research funding to Harvard and launched investigations via the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services. These probes target alleged antisemitic incidents and the school's DEI policies.
Harvard economics professor Jason Furman, who served in the Obama administration, called the visa revocation "horrendous on every level." He said, "It is impossible to imagine Harvard without our amazing international students. They are a huge benefit to everyone here, to innovation and the United States more broadly."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers this week the U.S. has "probably revoked thousands" of student visas and intends to "proudly" revoke more. "A visa is a privilege, not a right," Rubio said. "We're going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities."
In anticipation of the crackdown, Harvard had previously modified its admissions policy to allow international students to accept admission at a second university as a backup, an exception to its typical May 1 commitment deadline.
