The Trump administration on Thursday stripped Harvard University of its authority to admit international students—who make up over 27% of its student body—marking a sharp escalation in the president’s feud with the prestigious institution.
The move comes after Harvard refused to comply with demands for increased oversight of its admissions and hiring practices, which Trump claims foster anti-Semitism and liberal “woke” ideology. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the immediate revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which is essential for enrolling foreign students in the U.S.
Last month, Trump warned that Harvard could lose its ability to host international students if it did not submit to external political oversight. Noem emphasized that enrolling foreign students is a “privilege” contingent on compliance with Homeland Security regulations.
In her letter, Noem accused Harvard of failing to provide requested information while fostering a campus environment she described as hostile to Jewish students, sympathetic to Hamas, and driven by “racist” diversity policies.
Harvard, which counts 162 Nobel laureates among its alumni, strongly condemned the decision, calling it “unlawful” and “retaliatory.” A university spokesperson stated that international students—hailing from over 140 countries—are vital to Harvard and the nation, warning that the administration’s action would cause significant harm.
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In the 2024-25 academic year, more than a quarter of Harvard’s student body consisted of international students, according to university data.