In a surprising move, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken an unprecedented step by revoking Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which oversees the enrollment of international students in the United States. This decision prevents Harvard from admitting new international students and affects thousands of currently enrolled foreign students, prompting strong reactions from the university and its academic community.

Why Was Harvard Barred from Enrolling International Students?

The decision followed investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which issued an official statement through Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. In her statement, Secretary Noem indicated that the certification was revoked due to “Harvard University’s failure to comply with the department’s requirements to provide accurate and comprehensive information about its international students.” She noted that the university had not submitted sufficient data regarding some students’ participation in political demonstrations on campus, particularly those in support of Palestine. She added that the department had received complaints from Jewish students who reported feeling unsafe due to these protests, and emphasized that maintaining a secure and neutral environment for all students was one of the driving factors behind the decision. Secretary Noem further stated that the action aims to uphold U.S. law and protect national security, rather than target international students or academic institutions.

This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.

It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025

Harvard University Responds to the Allegations

In response, Harvard University released an official statement describing the decision as “unlawful and inconsistent with the core principles of academic freedom,” calling it a “politically motivated retaliatory measure that harms student interests and undermines the university’s reputation as a global educational institution.” The university affirmed that it has always cooperated with authorities, but argued that the department’s demands exceeded reasonable limits and that it was not given sufficient opportunity to provide necessary clarifications. Harvard reiterated its commitment to supporting freedom of expression and intellectual diversity, noting that the decertification threatens the future of thousands of international students who rely on Harvard for their academic and professional aspirations.

The move has triggered reactions from academic and human rights communities, with many viewing it as an escalation in tensions between the federal administration and educational institutions. Others expressed concern that the decision could damage the United States’ reputation as a global hub for higher education.

Temporary Protection

In a subsequent development, a federal judge in California issued a temporary injunction halting the implementation of the decision, providing legal protection for international students and allowing the university to pursue judicial review.

Harvard currently enrolls 9,970 international students from 140 countries across its academic programs.