Harvard blocked from enrolling international students

[UNITED STATES] The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students, forcing nearly 7,000 foreign scholars to transfer or risk losing their legal status—a move that intensifies the administration’s campaign against elite U.S. universities and raises urgent questions about the future of international education in America.

Trump Administration’s Decision: Scope and Rationale

On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the immediate revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows U.S. universities to admit international students. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive means Harvard cannot accept new foreign students, and those currently enrolled must transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or face possible deportation.

Noem cited Harvard’s alleged failure to comply with federal demands for records related to international students and accused the university of “encouraging violence, antisemitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party”. She framed the action as a warning to other institutions, stating, “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll international students and benefit from their higher tuition payments”.

Impact on Harvard and International Students

Harvard’s international student body—numbering nearly 6,800 for the 2024–2025 academic year and comprising about 27% of total enrollment—now faces abrupt disruption. Current students must seek transfers to maintain their visa status, while incoming international students will be barred from enrolling unless the decision is reversed or halted by the courts.

The university has condemned the administration’s move as “unlawful” and “retaliatory,” vowing to support affected students and pursue legal remedies. “This retaliatory measure poses significant risks to the Harvard community and our nation, undermining Harvard’s educational and research objectives,” the university stated.

Broader Political and Financial Context

The decision is the latest escalation in a months-long standoff between President Trump and Harvard, which has included the suspension of billions in federal funding and threats to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. The administration has accused Harvard and similar institutions of fostering “anti-American, Marxist, and radical left” ideologies, and specifically of failing to address campus antisemitism and pro-Palestinian activism.

International students are a vital financial resource for Harvard and many U.S. universities, typically paying full tuition and contributing significantly to local economies. At Harvard, international students contributed an estimated $384 million to the local economy in the 2023–2024 academic year, supporting nearly 4,000 jobs. Educational experts warn that the loss of foreign students could have a cascading effect on university finances and the broader higher education sector.

Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty

The administration’s move has already prompted legal challenges. A federal judge issued an injunction preventing the government from terminating the legal status of foreign students nationwide while lawsuits are pending, though the specific implications for Harvard remain unclear. Immigration attorneys note that federal regulations require a formal notice and clear justification for revoking SEVP certification, and warn that politically motivated actions may not withstand judicial scrutiny.

Reactions and Next Steps

Harvard: The university is preparing legal guidance for affected students and has called on alumni and supporters to help fill financial gaps created by federal funding cuts.

Student and Advocacy Groups: Immigration advocates and student organizations have condemned the move as unjustly penalizing thousands of students who have done nothing wrong.

Other Universities: Secretary Noem has warned that similar actions may be taken against other institutions, including Columbia University, intensifying anxiety across the higher education landscape.

This unprecedented action threatens to reshape the landscape of U.S. higher education, potentially deterring international talent and undermining the country’s reputation as a global academic leader. It also raises constitutional questions about academic freedom, due process, and the rights of non-citizens within the United States.