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The Trump administration has banned Harvard University from registering international students in a massive escalation of attacks on one of America’s most famous Ivy League schools.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem wrote to Harvard on Thursday, informing the university’s student and exchange visitor program accreditations have been revoked, and that it “will work quickly.”
The decision comes in the recent months of President Donald Trump’s reinforcement of elite institutions’ accusing him of failing to tackle anti-Semitism by promoting “awakening” ideology.
In X’s post that published her letter, Noem wrote: “It is not a right, not a right, to benefit from tuition payments, to help universities register international students and contribute billions of dollars.
“This serves as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
The move will affect student admissions next year, but Noem also said the ban means that nearly 6,800 existing Harvard international students, who account for more than 27% of this year’s intake, will need to switch enrollment to other universities.
Harvard said the administration’s move was “illegal” and “completely committed” to maintaining its ability to host international students.
“We are working promptly to provide guidance and support to our community members. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to Harvard’s community and our country and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The new attack on Harvard came amid an escalating conflict between Ivy League schools and the Trump administration, which drastically cut billions of dollars in federal funds for the agency.
Presidential critics say that the move towards American universities amounts to crackdowns on freedom of speech and academic freedom. Harvard sued the administration for halting more than $2 billion in funds.
Noem accused Harvard of creating a “hostile” environment for Jewish students, an attack leveled by the regime against the university, which was a scene of Palestinian protest after Hamas attacked Israel and subsequent attacks in Gaza on October 7, 2023.
The Secretary of Homeland Security said the Trump administration would seek all records of illegal, dangerous or violent activities by foreign students, including cases of students who have been subjected to threats or disciplinary actions.
The bar on international students will also raise concerns for 1.1 million foreigners enrolled in American universities (the largest share comes from India and China), as well as others who want to study in the US.
The fees for foreign students are an important source of financial support for US universities.
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Noem last month requested that Harvard University be stripped of its right to submit or register detailed records about foreign students. Harvard said at the time that he “hopefully comply with the law and that the administration will do the same.”
Will Creeley, the legal director of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, who previously criticised Harvard for free speech, called Noem’s actions “retaliatory and illegal.”
He said: “There are fewer Americans than federal officials who demand that private universities demonstrate ideological loyalty to the government under the pain of punishment.”
Fanta AW, executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA, the International Association of Educators, said:
