The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification to host international students, marking a dramatic escalation in a growing conflict between the White House and one of America’s most prestigious academic institutions. The move, announced Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, strips Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) status, halting its ability to enrol F-1 and J-1 visa holders for the 2025–2026 academic year.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country,” Harvard said in a strongly worded statement, calling the move “unlawful.” The university pledged to support its international students and vowed to fight back against what it sees as political retribution.
More than 6,700 international students about 27% of Harvard’s student body are now left uncertain about their futures. The abrupt announcement sent shockwaves through the campus, with students expressing frustration and fear. “We’re all just sitting back and waiting to see what the next steps are,” said Australian graduate student Sarah Davis. For Swedish undergraduate Leo Gerdén, the news came just days before graduation. “International students are being used as poker chips in a battle between the White House and Harvard,” he said.
The administration’s letter gives Harvard 72 hours to comply with sweeping demands, including turning over disciplinary records and digital evidence related to alleged illegal activity by non-immigrant students. Failure to meet these demands could permanently bar the university from enrolling international students.
The decision follows a broader federal campaign scrutinizing universities, with threats to revoke tax-exempt status and freeze funding. The administration has cited efforts to combat antisemitism as justification, though Harvard contends the government’s approach is an attempt to regulate academic freedom.
A federal judge in California on Thursday temporarily blocked the administration from revoking student visa statuses nationwide, offering some relief. Still, the broader implications remain alarming. “Without the international students, Harvard is simply not Harvard anymore,” Gerdén said.
As the legal and political battles continue, the future of thousands of students and the integrity of academic independence in the U.S. hangs in the balance.
