Trump Admin Bars Harvard from Enrolling Foreign Students Amid Ideological Showdown

Washington, D.C.: In a sweeping move that could reshape the academic landscape, the Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, CNN reported Thursday. The unprecedented action stems from Harvard’s refusal to comply with several contentious demands made by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In a stark statement, the DHS declared: “Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.” US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed the department to revoke Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), citing the university’s refusal to hand over conduct records of foreign students — a request issued in April.

The decision could impact more than 27% of Harvard’s student body — approximately 6,793 students — who hail from over 140 countries and form a core part of the institution’s intellectual fabric.

Academic Autonomy vs Federal Oversight

The administration’s demands have been met with strong pushback from Harvard officials. Among the federal requirements was an alleged “audit” of the “viewpoints” of students and faculty, which the university argues is unconstitutional.

“Many of the requests, including an ‘audit’ of the ‘viewpoint’ of its students and staff, go far beyond the role of the federal government and may breach the constitutional rights of Harvard,” the university stated.

Harvard is not alone in facing such pressure. Multiple universities across the United States have reportedly received similar ultimatums, but few have mounted as visible a resistance.

University Leadership Speaks Out

Harvard issued a sharp condemnation of the SEVP revocation, calling it “unlawful.” The university reaffirmed its commitment to hosting global scholars and students, highlighting their vital contributions to both the institution and the nation.

“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 university spokesperson Jason Newton.

“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission,” he added.

Sweeping Retaliations

The revocation of SEVP status is just one of several punitive measures aimed at Harvard. The administration has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university and is pursuing efforts via the Internal Revenue Service to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources.

Secretary Noem, in a letter addressed to Harvard on Thursday, accused 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.”

A Stark Warning to Academia

Appearing on Fox News, Noem issued a blunt caution: “This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together.”

In a symbolic concession, Harvard recently renamed its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging to “Community and Campus Life” — a change seen as an attempt to address federal concerns without capitulating to all demands.