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The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification to enroll international students, citing national security concerns and alleged foreign influence.
The decision, announced Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), affects more than 6,700 international students currently enrolled at the Ivy League institution.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
“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. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” she added.
Without certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Harvard can no longer authorize the I-20 forms required for student visas, forcing affected students to transfer or risk deportation.
The revocation is part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign to investigate elite U.S. universities for antisemitism and national security concerns. Federal agencies have also opened inquiries into other prestigious institutions, including Columbia and Princeton.
Harvard swiftly condemned the move, calling it a politically motivated overreach.
“This decision is unlawful, retaliatory, and threatens the academic futures of thousands of international students who contribute to our community,” Harvard officials said in a written statement. “We are exploring all legal options to challenge this unjust action.”
The university claims it has complied with federal requirements and continues providing an inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds. It also disputed the administration’s claims of foreign entanglements, calling them “unfounded.”
The Trump administration defended the revocation as a necessary step to address what it described as growing concerns over foreign interference and campus safety.
The Biden-era policy allowing expanded remote enrollment for international students had already drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has pushed for tighter visa regulations and more rigorous oversight of foreign students and funding.
