The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, leaving thousands in academic limbo as the State Department intensifies visa scrutiny amid allegations of “pro-terrorist conduct” on campus.
At a Glance
- Harvard has lost its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification due to alleged “pro-terrorist conduct” at campus protests
- 5,000 current Harvard students and 2,000 recent graduates face potential deportation or forced transfers
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced aggressive revocation of visas, especially targeting Chinese students
- The Trump administration has frozen nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard
- Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration, with a judge temporarily blocking the directive
Harvard Loses Ability to Host International Students
The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the prestigious institution from enrolling international students for the 2025-2026 academic year. The decision comes amid allegations that Harvard failed to provide requested information about student conduct during recent pro-Gaza protests and maintained what officials describe as an unsafe campus environment.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem delivered a stern rebuke to Harvard, stating the university had “plenty of opportunity to do the right thing” but refused to comply with government requests. The decision affects approximately 5,000 current Harvard students and 2,000 recent graduates participating in optional practical training programs, who must now transfer to other institutions or potentially face deportation.
State Department Expands Visa Scrutiny Beyond Students
The crackdown extends beyond just student visas. Senior State Department officials confirmed they are now scrutinizing all visa holders associated with Harvard University. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced an aggressive campaign of visa revocations, with particular focus on Chinese students linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields.
“We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities. A visa is a privilege, not a right,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The expanded scrutiny comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address what it describes as antisemitism and cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party at American universities. The administration has already frozen nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard and launched multiple investigations into the university’s policies.
Harvard Fights Back with Legal Challenge
Harvard University has not accepted the government’s actions quietly. The institution filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the directive to halt international student enrollment. A judge has temporarily blocked the government’s move, with a court hearing scheduled to determine the next steps in the legal battle.
“The Trump administration’s efforts to halt Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students has sown ‘profound fear, concern, and confusion,'” said the university’s director of immigration services.
University officials report significant emotional distress among international students and scholars, affecting their mental health and academic performance. Harvard was given 72 hours to provide the requested information to potentially regain its visa program certification, though it remains unclear whether the university has complied with this ultimatum.
Broader Context of Campus Protests
The government’s actions against Harvard come in the wake of pro-Gaza student protests that have spread across American university campuses. These demonstrations have called for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. The Trump administration has characterized some of these protests as antisemitic and promoting “pro-Hamas rhetoric.”
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” stated DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
As the situation continues to develop, thousands of international students face uncertainty about their academic futures and immigration status. The outcome of Harvard’s legal challenge will likely set a precedent for how universities and the federal government interact on matters of international education and campus protests.
