The U.S. government has issued a subpoena to Harvard University, demanding records related to foreign students allegedly involved in recent pro-Palestinian protests. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Wednesday that it would compel Harvard to release documentation linked to visa compliance and campus activism dating back to January 2020.
The move comes amid a wider crackdown by President Donald Trump, who has accused top U.S. universities of fostering anti-Semitism and advancing what he calls “woke” political agendas. Since resuming office in January, Trump has aggressively targeted Harvard, cutting approximately $3.2 billion in federal funding and seeking to bar most new international students from entering the country. A federal judge, however, recently blocked the enforcement of that immigration policy following a legal challenge by Harvard.
The DHS accused Harvard of failing to act on previous requests for information and claimed that foreign students had “abused their visa privileges and advocated for violence and terrorism on campus.” In response, Harvard issued a statement calling the subpoenas “retaliatory” but affirmed that it would comply with lawful obligations.
This subpoena coincides with a recommendation to strip Harvard of its university accreditation. The accrediting body was urged to take action after a federal review found Harvard in violation of civil rights laws, particularly for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from harassment during the Gaza-related campus protests.
The wave of student demonstrations, sparked by opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, has gripped U.S. campuses for months. Many of these protests included sit-ins and calls for institutional divestment from entities linked to the conflict.
Harvard’s international students, who make up 27% of its student body for the 2024-2025 academic year, contribute significantly to the university’s revenues. The Trump administration’s measures threaten not only academic freedom but also the financial and global standing of one of America’s most prestigious institutions.
While some universities like Columbia have acquiesced to federal demands, Harvard continues to resist, standing at the epicenter of a broader national debate on immigration, free speech, and political dissent on campus.
