Harvard Faces Unprecedented Ban on International Student Enrollment Amid Federal Crackdown
Homeland Security revokes Harvard’s visa certification, citing campus safety concerns and non-compliance with federal demands
BOSTON - Harvard University is facing an unprecedented ban on enrolling international students, thanks to a crackdown from the Trump administration. On May 22, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the university's certification to admit foreign students has been revoked, effectively shutting the door on new international enrollments for the upcoming academic year. This decision comes amid claims that Harvard has not complied with federal information requests and has created an unsafe environment on campus.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, “Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.”
This revocation of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification affects around 6,800 international students, who now find themselves in a tough spot—either transferring to other schools or facing the possibility of deportation. The university has just 72 hours to meet federal demands, which include providing disciplinary records and other relevant documents concerning foreign students.
Secretary Noem accused Harvard of “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ practices.” She further alleged that the university failed to turn over conduct records of foreign students requested by the DHS last month.
In response, Harvard condemned the move as “unlawful” and “retaliatory.” University spokesperson Jason Newton stated, “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.” He added that the university is “working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community.”
The decision represents a major escalation in the ongoing clash between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions. Earlier this year, the administration put a hold on $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the university declined to implement new policies regarding student and faculty conduct, admissions, antisemitism on campus, and DEI practices.
Critics argue that the administration's actions threaten academic freedom and the United States' reputation as a destination for international scholars. Harvard economics professor and former Obama administration official Jason Furman called the measure “horrendous on every level,” stating, “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.”
Legal experts and civil liberties advocates have also voiced concerns about the wider implications of the administration's crackdown. Will Creeley, legal director at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, called the DHS's request for records “gravely alarming,” cautioning that it could set a troubling precedent for government overreach into academic institutions.
The revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to tackle what it sees as increasing antisemitism and anti-American sentiment on college campuses. In January, President Trump signed Executive Order 14188, which directs federal agencies to fight antisemitism in educational settings and keep an eye on activities involving foreign students and staff.