US blocks Harvard University from enrolling foreign students

The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that it revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students.

Trump has expressed his anger over Harvard's rejection of his demand that it submit to admissions and hiring oversight after he alleged the university was a center of antisemitism and "woke" ideology.

"Effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the Ivy League institution that has produced 162 Nobel Prize winners.

US calls Harvard 'hostile to Jewish students'

"As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students," Noem wrote.

"As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies, you have lost this privilege," she added.

Noem's statement also said the steps taken against Harvard should "serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country."

The homeland security secretary said Harvard can regain its ability to host foreign students if it produces a trove of records on foreign students within the next 72 hours.

Her updated request demands all records, including audio or video footage, of foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activity on campus.

"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem added in a statement.

Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program gave the school the ability to sponsor international students to get their visas and attend school in the US.

Harvard vows to help foreign students

Harvard rejected the government's allegations and said it would support foreign students.

"The government's action is unlawful," Harvard said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."

The university added that it was committed to educating international students.

Nearly 6,800 Harvard students, more than a quarter of all students at the institution, came from outside the US for the 2024/2025 year.