Trump's war on Harvard escalates as DHS revokes its ability to enroll foreign students

Washington D.C.: In a dramatic escalation of its conflict with elite universities, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified Harvard of the decision after a tense standoff over a federal demand for detailed records on foreign students’ campus activities, particularly regarding protests and alleged misconduct.

According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard’s “insufficient response” and refusal to fully comply with the request led to the immediate revocation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. Without this certification, Harvard can no longer admit new international students, and current foreign students must transfer or risk losing their legal status.

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Noem accused Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” asserting that admitting foreign students is “a privilege, not a right” and warning other universities to comply with federal directives.

The administration had previously frozen billions in federal funding to Harvard and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status as part of a broader campaign against institutions it accuses of harboring anti-American and extremist influences.

Harvard strongly condemned the move, calling it “unlawful” and “retaliatory,” and warned it would cause serious harm to the university and its diverse community.

“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,” a spokesperson said.