The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by revoking Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution from enrolling new international students and threatening the legal status of those already studying there.
The announcement came on Thursday from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which cited serious concerns about campus safety and compliance issues as justification for its decision.
SEVP certification is essential for American universities to legally admit foreign students on F-1 and M-1 visas. Harvard, one of the world’s most prestigious universities, relies heavily on its international student population, which accounted for more than 27% of its total enrolment as of the autumn 2023 semester. Many of these students contribute significantly to Harvard’s academic and research endeavours, particularly at the graduate level.
The DHS accused Harvard’s leadership of permitting an unsafe environment on campus, alleging that “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” have been allowed to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students. The department further claimed that these agitators are predominantly foreign students, and that the university has obstructed its own academic mission by failing to address these issues.
“Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law.”
Harvard responded swiftly, condemning the DHS’s action as “unlawful” and describing it as retaliatory. The university reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its international community, which includes students and scholars from over 140 countries.
In an official statement, Harvard emphasised the critical role that international students play in enriching both the university and the wider United States.
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University—and this nation—immeasurably.”
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Harvard is actively providing guidance and support to those affected and is expected to pursue legal challenges against the DHS’s decision.
Earlier in the year, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal research grants to the university after it rejected demands to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes and to scrutinise international students for ideological reasons.
Moreover, the revocation not only prevents Harvard from admitting new international students but also endangers the visa status of those currently enrolled. The DHS has stipulated that existing foreign students must transfer to other SEVP-certified institutions or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. However, a federal judge in Oakland, California, has issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration and Secretary Noem from terminating the legal status of international students while a lawsuit challenging these actions proceeds. This judicial intervention offers a temporary safeguard for affected students.
International students contribute substantially to the U.S. economy and play a vital role in innovation and research. Restrictions on their enrolment could have profound consequences for American universities’ global standing. Furthermore, the DHS’s allegations about campus safety and foreign influence raise complex issues about balancing national security concerns with the principles of academic freedom and open discourse.