Trump Revokes Harvard’s International Student Certification Over Security, Antisemitism Claims

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Harvard Loses Authority to Admit International Students

For the first time in recent history, Harvard University is barred from admitting new international students. The Trump administration made it official on May 23, 2025, yanking the Ivy League powerhouse’s ability to welcome students from abroad. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem didn’t hold back in her announcement, blaming Harvard for a laundry list of issues that have nothing to do with academics—at least on the surface.

Homeland Security said the move comes after a long spell of friction between Harvard and the federal government. The Harvard Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification isn't just a rubber stamp—it’s what lets overseas students get the visas they need to come to Cambridge. Without it, the school can't legally enroll foreign students or keep its current international students in good standing. Those already at Harvard on student visas are now on a ticking clock: find a new school, or risk deportation.

Tension Brewing Over Security, Politics, and Campus Safety

In her statement, Noem took a hard line, saying, “Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.” She accused Harvard of ignoring federal requests for information and claimed the university has become a hotspot for antisemitic incidents, dangerous campus protests, and, most explosively, collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) even referenced what they called 'racist diversity, equity, and inclusion policies' and charged that the campus had become fertile ground for pro-Hamas sympathies.

This wasn’t out of the blue. The government previously cut $2.7 million in grants to Harvard in April 2025, a move that already signaled how bad the relationship had gotten. Back then, the official reasoning was about budget reviews and misaligned educational priorities, but many insiders saw it as part of a broader fight over campus culture.

For Harvard, the accusations sting—and the consequences are immediate. The university leadership fired back within hours, slamming the decision as 'unlawful' and 'retaliatory.' They promised to take legal action and vowed to support the thousands of international students suddenly left in limbo.

Students, faculty, and alumni are scrambling to make sense of what happens next. Day-to-day operations on campus have become tense as the community faces increasing political attention and threats to student safety. Many international students are worried about their ability to stay in the U.S., finish their degrees, or even find another institution willing to take them on short notice. Harvard’s global reputation as a magnet for top talent is also at stake.

• International students currently enrolled must transfer or leave the country.
• No new foreign students can be admitted until—and if—the certification is restored.
• Legal battles are likely as Harvard seeks to reverse the ruling.

Political figures on both sides are digging in. Supporters of the ruling say elite campuses need a wakeup call about transparency and campus safety, while critics see this as a dangerous escalation in government intervention in higher education. The underlying fight isn’t just about visas and paperwork—it’s about who controls the gates to American higher education and what values those institutions are expected to uphold.