In a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s battle with elite universities, Harvard University has been barred from enrolling international students. The Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme, effectively stripping the university of its ability to sponsor international students’ visas.
Reasons behind the decision
The Trump administration accused Harvard of creating an “unsafe campus environment” by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to harass and physically assault Jewish students. Additionally, Harvard was accused of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, hosting and training members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024 .
Impact on Harvard and International Students
The decision affects over 6,800 international students, accounting for more than a quarter of Harvard’s student body. Existing foreign students must transfer to other schools or lose their legal status, while new international students will no longer be able to enroll. Harvard has called the action “unlawful” and is working to provide guidance and support to its students
Harvard responds
Harvard University has filed a lawsuit alleging that the US government has threatened its independence and stifled free speech. The university claims that the administration’s actions are an attempt to coerce Harvard into conforming to the government’s preferred ideologies. Harvard’s President, Alan Garber, has stated that the consequences of the funding freeze will be “severe and long-lasting,” affecting research on critical diseases and the education of thousands of graduate students
Potential Consequences
The loss of international students will not only impact Harvard’s finances but also its academic and research mission. The university has already faced significant funding cuts, with over $2.6 billion in federal research grants frozen. Harvard plans to allocate additional university funds to support research affected by the grant freeze ³.
What’s the future for this situation?
Harvard’s lawsuit against the government is ongoing, and the university is working to resolve the issue. The Trump administration has indicated that Harvard can regain its ability to host foreign students if it produces records on foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activity on campus. The situation remains uncertain, with many international students and faculty members anxiously awaiting the outcome
