The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, citing multiple violations and non-compliance. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the decision on Thursday, effectively ending Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
According to DHS, current international students must transfer to other schools or face losing their legal immigration status.
In a letter addressed to Harvard, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem stated that admitting foreign students is a privilege, not a right. She attributed the revocation to the university’s refusal to provide records requested by DHS, its promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and its handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
Noem alleged that Harvard failed to share documents concerning misconduct and other offenses that could make foreign students inadmissible or removable under U.S. law.
The SEVP, according to the DHS website, is designed to ensure that only legitimate foreign students and exchange visitors are admitted to the U.S. It also monitors whether educational institutions comply with federal rules and regulations.
DHS has given Harvard 72 hours to submit the requested documents if it wishes to restore its SEVP certification.
This action marks the latest move in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to pressure U.S. universities into changing their policies. The administration has already slashed billions in federal funding to Harvard. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services terminated $60 million in federal grants. Additionally, the administration has called on the IRS to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status.
