Trump administration revokes Harvard's ability to enroll international students

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The school called the decision "unlawful."

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday it had terminated Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

In a letter to the university, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of cultivating a "unsafe" campus that fosters antisemitism.

“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments," Noem said in a statement. "Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

Harvard will no longer be able to enroll students with specific nonimmigrant statuses next school year. Current Harvard students on these visas will need to transfer to a different school.

The move comes after Homeland Security demanded Harvard turn over detailed records about its international students by April 30 or risk losing its ability to enroll them. The requested information included video footage of student protest activity, disciplinary records and documentation of any illegal activity on or off campus.

Harvard sent the agency student information that university leadership described as “required by law.” But in Thursday's letter, Noem said Harvard’s response was “insufficient."

A spokesperson for Harvard described the Trump administration's actions as "unlawful" and said staff are "working quickly" to provide guidance to their international students.

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

Harvard has 72 hours to provide the requested information to regain certification in the visitor program.

Harvard Professor Kirsten Weld said the Trump administration's actions are leaving international students alarmed and uncertain — and are obstructing her ability to teach.

“I'm devastated for my international students who've already been reaching out to me in a panic wondering if they should get on the plane when they have a plane ticket booked for tomorrow to go back to their home country,” she said.

Weld said she's heard no official communication from university leaders describing what their response will be. But she said she'd be shocked if they did not sue.

A banner on the website for Harvard's International Office assured students that updates will be provided when they become available. The announcement from Homeland Security comes a week before commencement, when some of the university's nearly 7,000 international students are set to graduate.