A general view of the Baker Library/Bloomberg Center on February 17, 2024, at Harvard Business School in Allston, MA.
Erica Denhoff | Icon Sportswire | Icon Sportswire | Getty Images
The Trump administration on Thursday blocked the ability of Harvard University to enroll future international students and to retain its existing enrolled foreign students.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered DHS staff to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which allows colleges to enroll foreign students.
Noem, in a statement, said, “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
DHS said that in addition to barring enrollment of future international students, “existing foreign students must transfer to lose their legal status.” The revocation, which DHS said was the result of “pro-terrorist conduct,” was first reported by The New York Times.
As of the fall 2023 semester, International students comprised more than 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment, according to university data.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said in a statement posted on the social media site X.
“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. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing,” Noem said.
“It refused.”
“They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law.”
The move comes amid an ongoing battle between the Ivy League school and the administration over concerns about antisemitism on campus.
Harvard, in a statement on the revocation, said, “The government’s action is unlawful.”
“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,” the statement said.
“We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Noem in April had threatened to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.
She warned the university at that time that its certification to enroll foreign students was contingent upon complying with federal immigration laws.
The administration in April froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard, hours after the university roundly rejected demands that it eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and evaluate international students for ideological concerns.
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