Trump halts Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students, careers of 800 Indian students in limbo
PTC Web Desk: In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Harvard University has been stripped of its certification to enroll international students, effective immediately.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, issued the order on Thursday, citing alleged ties to antisemitism, violence, and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The decision directly impacts nearly 6,800 international students currently enrolled at Harvard, including approximately 800 from India, according to official university data. Without swift compliance, these students face the risk of losing their legal status and being deported.
Why the move was made
In an official letter sent to Harvard by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the university was informed that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification had been revoked due to serious concerns about campus safety and compliance with federal law.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It is a privilege—not a right—for an institution to host foreign students.”
She further alleged that Harvard used high tuition fees from international students to “pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” accusing the university of putting profits before accountability.
The DHS has also confirmed that the move is part of a broader federal investigation into the institution.
A 72-hour ultimatum
Despite the sudden and sweeping nature of the order, the administration has left a small window open for reversal. Harvard has been given 72 hours to comply with a detailed list of federal demands if it wishes to regain SEVP certification before the upcoming academic year.
Seven conditions Harvard must meet within 72 Hours:
Illegal Activity Records: All official and unofficial records, including video/audio footage, of any illegal activity involving a non-immigrant student in the past five years, both on and off campus.
Violent or Dangerous Behaviour: Documentation related to any dangerous or violent activity by international students, whether on or off campus, in the same timeframe.
Threats to Community: Any materials that record threats made by non-immigrant students against other students, faculty, or staff.
Rights Violations: Evidence of any deprivation of rights of other students or university personnel, committed by international students in the last five years.
Disciplinary Records: A full archive of disciplinary actions involving all international students enrolled in the past five years.
Protest Footage: All video or audio recordings of protest activity on campus involving non-immigrant students during the last five years.
Undisclosed Collaboration or Funding Sources: Though not publicly confirmed in the official DHS letter, sources close to the investigation say a seventh condition includes disclosing any unreported collaborations, funding, or data-sharing agreements between Harvard and Chinese entities, including institutions affiliated with the CCP.
Harvard pushes back
In a sharply worded statement, Harvard University called the action “unlawful and retaliatory,” warning it could seriously damage the institution’s global standing and cause irreparable harm to its students.
"The government's action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably,” the statement read.
University officials have not yet confirmed whether they will comply with the DHS demands, but legal challenges are expected.
This crackdown follows months of increasing hostility between President Donald Trump and Harvard University. In April, Trump referred to Harvard as a “joke” and accused the university of rejecting political oversight. On his Truth Social platform, he went further, stating: “Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning.”
Trump had also threatened to cut federal research funding and block the university from admitting foreign students if it did not meet certain federal standards.
This latest move appears to be the administration’s most aggressive step yet.
Global impact
The decision has thrown the academic futures of thousands into uncertainty. For international students—who make up 27% of Harvard's enrollment—the situation is dire. Without SEVP certification, the university cannot issue the I-20 forms required for student visas (F-1 or J-1), effectively blocking any new admissions and jeopardising the status of those already enrolled.
According to the university’s website, between 500–800 Indian students and scholars attend Harvard each year. Now, they must either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or face deportation.
What’s next
With the 72-hour countdown underway, all eyes are on Harvard’s next move. If the university complies with federal demands, it may avoid further fallout. If not, legal battles and significant academic disruptions lie ahead—not just for Harvard, but potentially for other US institutions under scrutiny.
- With inputs from agencies
