‘It is a privilege, not a right’: Trump adminration halts Harvard from enrolling international students | World News

In a major escalation of its pressure campaign on Harvard University, the Trump adminration Thursday revoked the university’s certification to enroll international students, citing national security concerns and alleged misconduct on campus.
“I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” reads a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kri Noem, obtained The New York Times.
As a result, Harvard can no longer admit foreign students, and exing international students must transfer or lose their legal status.
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In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security echoed Noem’s message, stating: “Harvard is being held accountable for collaboration with the Chinese Commun Party, fostering violence, antisemitism, and pro-terror conduct from students on its campus.”

It continued: “Harvard’s leadership has created an unsafe campus environment permitting anti-American, pro-terror agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish student.”
Noem too, in a post on X, defended the action, saying , “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

This adminration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Commun 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 Kri Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
Harvard University has called the move “unlawful” and “retaliatory,” warning of its severe impact.
“The government’s action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining its ability to host international students and scholars from more than 140 countries and enrich the university. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”Story continues below this ad
The revocation follows Harvard’s refusal to comply with a records request issued DHS on April 16, 2025. Noem had asked for information on the alleged criminality and misconduct of foreign students on campus and warned the university that non-compliance would result in SEVP termination. According to DHS, Harvard ignored a follow-up from the Department’s Office of General Counsel.
The New York Times reports that the decision came after a protracted dispute between the university and DHS regarding the legality of the records request.
Last month, the DHS also terminated $2.7 million in grants for Harvard, further intensifying the standoff.
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