Trump Administration Revokes Harvard's Certification to Admit Foreign Students

The Trump administration has escalated its fight with Harvard University by revoking the institution's certification to admit foreign students, citing allegations of "anti-American, pro-terrorist" activity and working with the Chinese Communist Party. The Department of Homeland Security, under the direction of Secretary Kristi L. Noem, has ordered the termination of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, effective immediately. This move has significant implications for the university, which enrolls more than 6,700 international students, and for thousands of foreign students who may be affected by the decision.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration has revoked Harvard's certification to admit foreign students, citing allegations of "anti-American, pro-terrorist" activity and working with the Chinese Communist Party.
• The Department of Homeland Security has ordered the termination of Harvard's SEVP certification, effective immediately, and given the school 72 hours to turn over a list of records on international students.
• If the administration follows through with the decertification, Harvard will be unable to enroll foreign students, and existing international students at the university will have to transfer or lose their legal status.
• The decision has enormous consequences not just for Harvard, but for thousands of foreign students who are enrolled there or who plan to enroll this fall.
• Higher education experts say the Trump administration's latest move against the university is unconscionable and violates legal procedures.
• Harvard enrolled 6,793 international students during the 2024-2025 academic year, who make up about 27 percent of the university's total enrollment.
• The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from Harvard, citing allegations of antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that the administration wants to root out.
• The revocation of Harvard's SEVP certification is the latest blow in the fight the administration is waging against the university.
• Harvard has been under attack by the Trump administration for several months, with the administration freezing and cutting federal funding totaling over $2.7 billion.
• The decision has been met with strong opposition from the academic community, with the American Council on Education calling it "unconscionable," "small-minded," and "illegal."
• The revocation of Harvard's SEVP certification will have a chilling effect on international students who want to attend not just Harvard but other U.S. universities.
• The Trump administration has ignored existing processes for revoking an institution's certification and has not provided evidence or proof of the allegations against Harvard.

Statistics:

• 6,793 international students were enrolled at Harvard during the 2024-2025 academic year, who make up about 27 percent of the university's total enrollment.
• 1 million international students attend colleges in the United States every year, contributing nearly $44 billion to the national economy.
• The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from Harvard, citing allegations of antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that the administration wants to root out.
• Harvard has been under attack by the Trump administration for several months, with the administration freezing and cutting federal funding totaling over $2.7 billion.
• The Trump administration has accused Harvard of working with the Chinese Communist Party and hosting and training members of its paramilitary group.

Sources:

• The Washington Post, "Trump administration revokes Harvard's certification to admit foreign students" (no date provided)
• Harvard University, "Statement from Jason Newton on Revocation of SEVP Certification" (no date provided)
• The New York Times, "Trump Administration Revokes Harvard's Clearance for Foreign Students" (no date provided)
• The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Trump Administration Sues Harvard Over Funding Freeze" (no date provided)
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators, "International Students in the United States" (no date provided)