In a sweeping move that could reshape the academic landscape of one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, the Trump administration on Thursday announced it was revoking Harvard University’s certification to enroll international students.
The decision, communicated via a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, halts Harvard’s ability to admit new foreign students and requires current international students to transfer or risk losing their legal status. The revocation affects the university’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), overseen by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the action in a statement, indicating it applies to both current and future international students.
The measure could affect roughly 27% of Harvard’s student population — approximately 6,800 international students enrolled during the 2024–2025 academic year — and may deal a significant financial blow to the university. Tuition for the upcoming academic year stands at $59,320, with total costs approaching $87,000 including room and board. International students, who typically pay a higher share of education costs, have long constituted a vital demographic at Harvard and across U.S. higher education institutions.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the action follows weeks of tension between Harvard and the Department of Homeland Security over the university’s compliance with a federal records request. Three individuals with knowledge of the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the move as part of a broader federal inquiry into the school’s admissions and internal operations.
Harvard condemned the action, calling it “unlawful” and “retaliatory.”
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university — and this nation — immeasurably,” said Jason Newton, Harvard’s director of media relations. “This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The university is expected to mount a legal challenge. Harvard recently sued the administration over what it described as attempts to influence its curriculum, admissions, and hiring practices.
Experts and former federal officials have described the move as unprecedented.
“DHS has never tried to reshape the student body of a university by revoking access to its vetting systems,” said Andrea Flores, a former DHS official under President Obama and current vice president of immigration policy at advocacy group FWD.us. “It is unique to target one institution out of the hundreds certified annually.”
Under federal regulations, SEVP certification can be revoked for noncompliance with reporting requirements, a justification referenced in Secretary Noem’s letter. However, Harvard maintains that the information demanded by DHS exceeded the scope of legal mandates.
The administration’s decision is widely viewed as part of a broader effort to exert pressure on elite academic institutions and reshape the landscape of American higher education.