Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students

Trump administration halts Harvard’s international student enrolment citing antisemitism, Chinese links, and visa law violations investigation
Homeland Security demands Harvard submit required information within 72 hours to regain student visa certification before academic year
Harvard says move is unlawful and affects nearly 6,800 foreign students, including 788 Indian nationals currently enrolled

The Trump administration blocks Harvard University from enrolling international students, citing an ongoing investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A letter sent by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the university of fostering antisemitism, inciting violence, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. As part of this action, Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has been revoked.

The letter from DHS stated that Harvard must provide specific information within 72 hours to regain its eligibility to host foreign students before the next academic session begins. The DHS warned that failure to comply would result in continued restrictions. According to the department, the move will require current international students to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal immigration status in the United States.

In a post on X, Kristi Noem said, “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” She added that enrolling foreign students is “a privilege, not a right,” and claimed that tuition fees from international students “help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”

Harvard University issued a statement in response, calling the decision retaliatory and unlawful. The statement read, “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.” The university said it would continue to defend its position.

President Donald Trump had previously criticized Harvard in April, calling it a “joke” and suggesting it should lose its government research contracts after the university refused to accept political supervision. He had also warned that the institution could be banned from accepting international students. For the 2024–2025 academic year, Harvard enrolled approximately 6,800 international students, making up 27% of its total enrollment. Of these, 788 students were from India.

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