NEW YORK, May 23 — The Trump administration yesterday revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll foreign students—who make up over a quarter of its student body—in a sharp escalation of the president’s conflict with the prestigious institution.
NEW YORK, May 23 — The Trump administration yesterday revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll foreign students—who make up over a quarter of its student body—in a sharp escalation of the president’s conflict with the prestigious institution.
Harvard, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, quickly condemned the decision as “unlawful,” warning it would harm both the university community and the nation. One student described the campus reaction as “panicking.”
Trump has targeted Harvard—an institution that has produced 162 Nobel laureates—for refusing to submit to government oversight regarding admissions and hiring, amid his allegations that the university fosters anti-Semitism and “woke” liberal ideologies.
Losing such a significant portion of its students could deal a major financial blow to Harvard, which charges tens of thousands of dollars annually in tuition.
“Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certification is revoked,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the Ivy League school, referring to the key system allowing foreign students to study in the US.
Harvard, already suing the government over other punitive actions, responded swiftly, calling the revocation “unlawful.”
“We remain fully committed to supporting our international students and scholars,” the university said in a statement, adding it was working to provide guidance and support.
“This retaliatory action threatens significant harm to the Harvard community and our country, undermining our academic and research mission.”
Karl Molden, a 21-year-old international student from Austria, said he has applied to study at Oxford in the UK amid fears of similar restrictions.
“It’s scary and saddening,” Molden told AFP. “Getting into Harvard was the greatest privilege of my life. This will definitely affect how prospective students view studying in the US—the country is becoming a less attractive destination for higher education.”
The Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors condemned the move as “another in a series of blatant authoritarian and retaliatory actions against America’s oldest higher education institution.”
“The Trump administration is unlawfully trying to dismantle higher education in the US, demanding we sacrifice our international students in the process. Universities cannot accept such extortion,” they said.
‘Everyone’s panicking’
Last month, Trump threatened to bar Harvard from enrolling foreign students if it did not comply with government demands for political oversight.
“Noem emphasized in her letter that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right,” AFP reported.
“All universities must meet Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting obligations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations, to maintain this privilege,” she wrote.
Noem cited Harvard’s refusal to provide requested information, along with concerns over a campus environment hostile to Jewish students, alleged pro-Hamas sympathies, and “racist” diversity, equity, and inclusion policies as reasons for revoking the privilege.
According to university data, foreign students accounted for more than 27 percent of Harvard’s enrollment during the 2024-25 academic year.
Alice Goyer, a fourth-year American student, told AFP that the news left many uncertain about the future of international students currently enrolled.
“We just heard about it and I’ve been getting texts from international friends. Everyone is panicking a bit,” she said.
When asked if students might transfer to other universities, as suggested by Noem, Goyer replied, “I doubt it. I hope a legal challenge will follow.” — AFP
NEW YORK, May 23 — The Trump administration yesterday revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll foreign students—who make up over a quarter of its student body—in a sharp escalation of the president’s conflict with the prestigious institution.
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