Trump Administration Revokes Harvard’s Right to Enroll Foreign Students

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the White House and Harvard University, the Trump administration has revoked the institution’s right to enroll foreign students—a move that affects more than a quarter of the school’s current student population.

The decision was delivered on Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who cited Harvard’s alleged failure to comply with federal oversight requirements.

In a letter sent to the university, Noem announced the immediate revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS)—a key framework through which international students legally study in the United States.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Harvard for what he describes as a refusal to cooperate with federal authorities on matters of admissions, hiring, and campus climate.

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The administration has accused the Ivy League institution of fostering a “hostile” environment for Jewish students, tolerating pro-Hamas sentiments, and embracing divisive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. These issues, according to officials, prompted the crackdown.

“As I explained in my April letter, enrolling foreign students is a privilege,” Noem stated. “Harvard’s unwillingness to meet its obligations under SEVIS regulations, combined with its failure to ensure a safe environment for all students, leaves us no choice but to revoke this privilege.”

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The move marks an unprecedented confrontation between a sitting U.S. president and one of the world’s most prestigious universities, known for producing 162 Nobel laureates and influencing generations of global leaders.

Harvard has not yet issued a formal response, but the revocation is expected to send shockwaves through the academic and international communities, particularly as over 27 percent of its 2024–2025 student body is comprised of international students. The decision raises serious concerns about academic freedom, immigration policy, and the future of international education in the U.S.

As legal experts and higher education advocates weigh the implications, the revocation sets the stage for a broader debate about the role of politics in American academia—and how far a government can go in asserting control over independent institutions.