Trump Administration Stops Harvard from Accepting International Students
— The Trump administration moves to block Harvard from enrolling international students, citing national security and policy concerns.
The Trump administration has decided to block Harvard University from admitting international students, marking a major shake-up in U.S. higher education policy. This sudden decision is part of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Earlier this year, Donald Trump had openly criticized Harvard, calling it a “joke” and suggesting that the university should lose its government funding because it refused to allow outside political oversight.
On Thursday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter to Harvard, stating that the university’s privilege to enroll foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is being suspended. She mentioned that this action is being taken due to concerns about antisemitism, links with the Chinese Communist Party, and what she described as Harvard "fostering violence" on campus.
This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86
Posting on social media, Noem added, “Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.” She also argued that the tuition fees paid by international students help boost Harvard’s massive endowment rather than serve educational purposes.
The letter gives Harvard 72 hours to provide specific information if the university hopes to regain its SEVP certification in time for the next academic year.
This policy could have a big impact. It would force many current international students to either transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status in the U.S., according to the DHS.
Harvard responded by calling the government’s move illegal and harmful. “We are committed to keeping our doors open to students from around the world, who contribute greatly to the Harvard community and to the United States,” the university said in a statement.
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Harvard since April. On his social media platform Truth Social, he claimed Harvard no longer deserves its reputation and should not be considered among the world’s top universities. He had also hinted months ago that the university would face restrictions on accepting students from abroad unless it complied with his administration’s expectations.
Currently, international students make up about 27% of Harvard’s student body, with around 6,800 foreign students enrolled for the 2024–2025 academic year. Among them, nearly 800 students are from India, making it one of the largest international student groups at the university.
