Trump bans Harvard from admitting foreign students

Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has called on colleges and universities to put a stop to anti-Israel protests, which he has characterized as antisemitic, and dismantle DEI initiatives, which he has claimed promote “division and radicalism.” 

The ultimatum, announced on Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, gave the university 72 hours to comply with a list of federal demands in order to have its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification reinstated. These demands include turning over all disciplinary records for non-immigrant students from the past five years, along with any electronic records, video, or audio documenting their “illegal, dangerous or violent” activity on campus.

“Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” Noem wrote in a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber dated May 22. “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” she stated.

The revocation of Harvard’s SEVP certification could affect nearly 6,800 international students currently enrolled at its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, comprising approximately 27% of its 2024–25 student body.

“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,” Noem added.

Harvard has denounced the decision as unlawful and politically retaliatory, arguing that the administration’s actions pose serious harm to the university’s academic mission and global reputation.

“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,” said Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton in a statement.

The clash marks a major escalation in the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against elite universities, amid a growing political backlash over their handling of pro-Palestinian student protests. 

After Harvard rejected federal demands and pledged to address internal issues on its own terms, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university, part of a broader review of nearly $9 billion in public grants awarded to Harvard and its affiliated research institutions.