Harvard is having a really bad year. From feds yanking billions in grants, to House Republicans alleging ties to the Chinese military, to President Trump threatening their tax-exempt status, to detained embryo-smuggling scientists (and most of that's just this month), the university has now been blocked from enrolling international students - which constitute nearly 1/3 of Harvard admissions.
"I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," according to a letter sent to the university by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, which they promptly shot over to the NY Times.
The decision followed a back-and-forth in recent days over the legality of a wide-ranging records request by the Department of Homeland Security.
According to Bloomberg, existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status, the notice reads.
This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86
In April DHS threatened to block Harvard from enrolling international students if the university refused to hand over detailed records about the student body containing "relevant information" on student visa holders who have been involved in "known illegal" or "dangerous" activity.
"It is a privilege to have foreign students attend Harvard University, not a guarantee," Noem wrote in an April letter. "The United States government understands that Harvard University relies heavily on foreign student funding from over 10,000 foreign students to build and maintain their substantial endowment."
Harvard dug in last month following the Trump admin's demands - with president Alan Garber saying in a statement "No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue."
Developing...
