DHS Revokes Harvard’s Certification to Enroll International Students

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University’s certification to admit international students. The decision, announced on Thursday, could affect over 27% of Harvard’s student body, dealing a serious blow to the university’s global presence.

The revocation came through an official letter from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, citing Harvard’s failure to comply with federal directives related to admissions and hiring practices. Effective immediately, the university has lost its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) certification.

This move follows sustained criticism from former President Donald Trump, who has accused Harvard of promoting anti-Semitic sentiments and so-called “woke” liberal ideologies. Trump has previously demanded increased federal oversight of Harvard’s operations, which the university reportedly resisted.

Secretary Noem’s letter stated that admitting international students is a privilege, not a right, and accused Harvard of obstructing federal inquiries, fostering a hostile environment for Jewish students, and applying discriminatory diversity and inclusion policies.

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With international students comprising more than a quarter of its student population for the 2024–25 academic year, the SEVIS revocation is poised to significantly affect Harvard’s academic and cultural landscape.

The university has not yet issued a public statement in response to the decision.

This action is one of the most forceful yet by the Trump administration in its campaign against higher education institutions perceived to be out of step with its policies, reflecting growing political battles over campus free speech, diversity initiatives, and the role of international students in U.S. academia.