The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University’s permission to enroll international students, creating turmoil on campus and putting the legal status of over a quarter of its student body at risk.
This action represents a sharp escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure Harvard into changing its admissions, hiring, and teaching policies. The university is expected to challenge the decision legally, as it is already engaged in litigation over the government’s freeze of billions in research funding.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that current international students must transfer to other schools within 72 hours or face losing their legal status, unless Harvard complies by providing detailed disciplinary records for every international student over the past five years.
Under President Trump’s direction, several universities nationwide have faced scrutiny for allegedly not sufficiently protecting Jewish students, leading to canceled research grants and budget cuts.
Noem emphasized that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, accusing Harvard of refusing to meet federal demands despite numerous chances.
Harvard’s spokesperson condemned the move as unlawful and retaliatory, pledging to support affected students and faculty and highlighting the value international students bring to the university and the nation.
The announcement shocked Harvard’s international community, which makes up about 25% of the student population.
Students like Leo Gerdén expressed sadness and uncertainty, worried that Harvard’s reputation as a global hub of excellence could be severely damaged.
Many international students scrambled to grasp the full consequences of the decision.
