Harvard Faces Major Setback as U.S. Revokes International Student Certification Over Alleged Legal Breaches
In a dramatic move with wide-reaching implications for global education, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively prohibiting the institution from admitting new international students.
The decision, announced Thursday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, follows the administration’s escalating scrutiny of elite academic institutions. “Enrolling international students is a privilege — not a right,” Noem stated firmly. “Harvard has repeatedly failed to comply with federal law, and that privilege has been revoked.”
This action marks one of the most severe measures yet by the Trump-led administration against a U.S. university and comes in the wake of rising tensions between the federal government and higher education institutions over ideological and security concerns.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Noem outlined a series of grievances, including Harvard’s refusal to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and its alleged lack of cooperation in evaluating international students for “ideological risks.” She also accused the university of enabling antisemitism and claimed it had associations with the Chinese Communist Party.
In April, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard, intensifying pressure on the institution to comply with its demands. As of Fall 2023, international students made up over 27% of Harvard’s student population, according to university data.
The DHS further clarified that existing international students currently enrolled at Harvard must now transfer to other certified institutions or risk losing their legal immigration status. In a formal letter, DHS gave the university a 72-hour deadline to submit the required information if it hopes to regain certification before the next academic year begins.
Harvard Responds: “Unlawful and Retaliatory”
Harvard University swiftly condemned the move, calling it “unlawful” and “retaliatory.” In an official statement, the university expressed concern over the potentially devastating consequences for its international community.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission,” the statement read. “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.”
Political Backdrop Intensifies the Feud
The decision follows a series of critical statements by former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly targeted Harvard and other elite universities. In April, Trump called Harvard a “joke” and accused it of promoting biased ideologies. On his Truth Social platform, he went as far as to say that the institution should be removed from any list of top global universities.
The former president had previously threatened to ban Harvard from enrolling foreign students unless it agreed to federal oversight of its academic programs and administrative practices.
Impact on Indian and Global Students
Harvard traditionally attracts between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars annually. With its SEVP certification now suspended, many of these students may be forced to transfer or reconsider their academic plans entirely.
As international education becomes increasingly entangled with politics and national security, this move sends a chilling message to universities and students worldwide: compliance with federal directives may now be the price of participation in American academia.
