IN the escalating feud between United States President Donald Trump and Harvard University, the Trump administration revoked the school’s ability to enroll international students and warned current foreign students to transfer or risk losing their legal status in the US.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the action on Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a copy of the letter on X, formerly Twitter.
“I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” she said.
Homeland Security claimed that this action was due to Harvard’s allegedly unsafe campus environment which allows “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault Jewish students on campus.
“This action should not surprise you and is the unfortunate result of Harvard’s failure to comply with simple reporting requirements,” said Noem.
“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 anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses.”
They also alleged that Harvard collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party, hosting and training members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024.
Meanwhile, according to an interview from The Guardian, a Harvard spokesperson called the government action “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,” said the spokesperson.
“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.”
Harvard University hosts nearly 6,800 international students at its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, making up over a quarter of its total student population. The majority are graduate students representing more than 100 countries.
