The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification to enroll foreign students, citing what it calls “pro-terrorist conduct” on campus and the university’s refusal to comply with federal reporting requirements, on Thursday, May 22nd.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Harvard has lost its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) certification, a decision that will prevent the Ivy League institution from enrolling any international students for the 2025–2026 academic year. Current foreign students must transfer or risk losing their legal residency status in the United States.
The DHS launched the enforcement action after Harvard refused to provide behavioral records related to student visa holders, despite multiple requests. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that DHS had offered Harvard a 72-hour window to comply with federal demands to retain its certification.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem stated. “Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused.”
“As a result of your brazen refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas rhetoric, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have lost this privilege,” Noem wrote.
