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Cambridge, MA – In a dramatic escalation of its conflict with Harvard University, the
Trump administration on Thursday delivered a severe blow to the elite institution,
revoking its ability to enroll international students. The unprecedented move,
announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), mandates that
existing foreign students must either transfer or face the loss of their legal status,
plunging nearly 10,000 international students into a state of anxiety and
uncertainty.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the termination of Harvard’s
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, citing the university's
refusal to provide conduct records of foreign students, a request made by the DHS
last month. This decision directly impacts over a quarter of Harvard's student body
, with 6,793 international students comprising 27.2% of its enrollment in the 2024-
25 academic year, in addition to other international academic populations,
bringing the total to 9,970 individuals.
The White House defended the action, stating that "enrolling foreign students is a
privilege, not a right," and accused Harvard leadership of transforming its
institution into a "hot-bed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators."
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson further asserted that Harvard had
"repeatedly failed to take action to address the widespread problems negatively
impacting American students and now they must face the consequences of their
actions."
This drastic measure is the latest salvo in a months-long battle between the Trump
administration and Harvard officials. The administration has been demanding
sweeping changes to campus programming, policies, hiring practices, and
admissions, all with the stated goal of eradicating on-campus antisemitism and
dismantling what it terms "racist 'diversity, equity and inclusion' practices." A
particular focus has been placed on foreign students and staff believed to have
participated in contentious campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas war.
However, Harvard’s leadership contends that many of these demands, including a
proposed "audit" of the "viewpoint" of its students and staff, represent an
overreach of federal government authority and potentially infringe upon Harvard’s
constitutional rights. Harvard, one of dozens of US universities facing similar
pressure, has emerged as a vocal champion of academic independence.
The university swiftly condemned the SEVP revocation as "unlawful," stating in a
press release, "We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host
international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and
enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably." University spokesperson
Jason Newton added, "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, like many other higher education institutions, faced intense scrutiny last
year for its handling of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments following the
onset of the Israel-Hamas war, as well as accusations of antisemitism from Jewish
alumni and students. Reports released by two Harvard task forces last month
acknowledged that both Jewish and Muslim students experienced fear for their
safety and feelings of alienation and academic censorship during the 2023-24
academic year. These reports offered broad recommendations and policy changes,
some of which Harvard has already initiated.
In an effort to appease some of the administration's demands, Harvard even altered
the name of its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging to Community
and Campus Life. However, Secretary Noem, in a letter to Harvard on Thursday,
remained unswayed, accusing the university of "perpetuating an unsafe campus
environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes-pro-Hamas sympathies,
and employs racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ practices." Notably, her letter
did not mention Muslim or Arab students.
The SEVP revocation is not the sole punitive measure taken against Harvard. The
administration has also frozen $2.2 billion in federal funds, a move the university is
actively challenging in court. Furthermore, sources familiar with the matter told
CNN that the Internal Revenue Service is reportedly planning to rescind Harvard’s
tax-exempt status.
The Trump administration's actions against Harvard appear to be a clear warning to
other universities. Secretary Noem articulated this sentiment on Fox News, stating,
"This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together."
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the Harvard community. Students
and staff are grappling with the implications of the decision, which has left
thousands of international students in limbo.
"Many of us have worked our entire lives to get to a university like Harvard, and
now we need to wait around and see if we might have to transfer out and face
difficulties with visas," said Karl Molden, a rising junior from Austria, who is
currently traveling abroad and fears he may not be allowed to return to campus.
Molden described a palpable sense of anxiety among international students, who
are exchanging nervous messages, questioning their ability to complete summer
internships, and worrying about securing comparable financial aid at other
institutions.
Molden views the plight of international students as being used as a "play ball in
this larger fight between democracy and authoritarianism," drawing parallels to his
experiences in Austria. "Coming from Austria, I’m a little bit more familiar … with
the authoritarian playbook and how authoritarians can kill democracies," he said.
"What I’ve been seeing in the US in the past few months is that."
Faculty members are equally concerned about the potential ramifications for
American academia. Jason Furman, a Harvard economics professor and former
Obama administration official, condemned the measure as "horrendous on every
level." He emphasized the invaluable contribution of international students: "It is
impossible to imagine Harvard without our amazing international students. They
are a huge benefit to everyone here, to innovation and the United States more
broadly. Higher education is one of America’s great exports and a key source of
our soft power. I hope this is stopped quickly before the damage gets any worse."
Another professor, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed fears that if the
policy is implemented, "many labs will empty out," highlighting the critical role
international students play in research and development.
The international community has also taken notice. Australia’s ambassador to the
US, Kevin Rudd, acknowledged the distress this move would cause "Harvard’s many
Australian students" and confirmed that consular advice is being offered as the
situation is closely monitored.
Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors issued a
strong statement, "condemn[ing] in the strongest possible terms the Trump
administration’s unconstitutional assault on our international students." The group
of professors asserted that the decision "expands the Trump administration’s
terrorizing assault on international students and scholars in the United States,"
concluding that "International students are essential members of the Harvard
community."
The legal battle over the SEVP revocation is expected to be swift and fierce, as
Harvard fights to protect its academic autonomy and the futures of its
international student body. The outcome of this high-stakes confrontation could
set a significant precedent for the future of higher education in the United States
and its relationship with the federal government.
