Trump administration bans Harvard University from enrolling International Students
The United States of America administration under the instruction of Donald Trump has barred Harvard University from enrolling International students. A letter has been sent to Harvard University from the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The decision from Homeland Security is due to an ongoing investigation into the university.
Kristi Noem posted, “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” She also called, “It is a privilege, not a right” for such prolific universities to enroll foreign students and “benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”
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
The response from Harvard University has called the move ‘unlawful’ and said that the government is curbing and undermining Harvard’s academic and research missions. This decision puts 6,800 international and foreign exchange students, over a quarter of Harvard’s enrollment, around 27% of their entire student admission.
The students are asked to opt for other universities or lose their legal status in America. The decision also comes as a part of broader political and ideological conflict between the US President and the US institutions which are accused of promoting antisemitism, harboring pro-hamas sentiments and discharging diversity policies.
It is also stated in the letter sent to Harvard University that if they want to regain their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification before the upcoming academic school year back, they should provide the “information required” within “72 hours”.
Harvard University also said that, “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 in a statement.”
Trump earlier has mentioned Harvard University as a ‘joke’ and said it should lose all the government research contracts. While many experts have commented on Trump’s decision as a typical textbook authoritarianism, Harvard has now filed lawsuits which will result in legal issues and court charges for student visas and documentation.
