In a dramatic escalation of its clash with elite academic institutions, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, citing alleged links to antisemitism, unrest, and foreign influence. The move, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year, puts thousands of students at risk of deportation or forced transfer.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, accusing the university of fostering violence and having connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Noem demanded access to five years of protest-related footage and records on foreign students, warning that failure to comply would solidify the ban.
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Harvard swiftly denounced the decision as unlawful and retaliatory, stating it undermines academic freedom and endangers its diverse student body. With nearly 6,800 international students enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year, the impact is expected to be substantial, affecting scholars from over 140 countries.
This action follows Harvard’s refusal to hand over certain student data, and comes amid broader tensions between the university and Trump’s administration. In recent weeks, Trump has already frozen $3 billion in federal grants, prompting Harvard to pursue legal recourse. Meanwhile, a federal court ruling on Thursday challenged the administration’s attempt to strip legal status from foreign students nationwide, casting uncertainty on the move’s long-term viability.
