Trump administration says Harvard can no longer enroll international students
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said existing international students at Harvard must transfer or risk losing their legal status.
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, throwing the Ivy League campus into chaos and jeopardizing the legal status of more than a quarter of its students.
The move marks a significant escalation in the White House's battle to pressure the university to bend to demands to overhaul its admissions, hiring and teaching practices. The decision will almost certainly prompt a legal challenge from the university, which is already in active litigation against the federal government for freezing billions of dollars in research funding.
In a statement, Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, said that current international students at Harvard must transfer to other universities or risk losing their legal status.
Noem said she would reconsider her decision if Harvard – within 72 hours – satisfied her demands for more information, which include providing disciplinary records of every international student for the past five years.
At President Donald Trump's direction, federal agencies have targeted dozens of universities across the country in recent months that officials have accused of not doing enough to protect Jewish students. The government has canceled billions of dollars in research grants and contracts, forcing significant layoffs and budget cuts at many institutions.
"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," Noem said. "Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused."
In a statement, Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said the university was working quickly on Thursday to provide guidance and support to students and faculty.
“The government’s action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably," he said. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Foreign students stunned: 'It just feels so sad'
The decision stunned Harvard's international student community, some of whom are awaiting graduation next weekend. More than 25% of Harvard's total student population are international students, with about 6,800 enrolled this academic year.
"Honestly, for the moment it just feels so sad," said Leo Gerdén, a 22-year-old Harvard student from Sweden studying economics and government. "I've had such an incredible time at this university. Harvard has always been known for bringing together the best people from around the world. Now, all of that could be taken away from us and Harvard will not be Harvard anymore."
Gerdén said international students were still scrambling Thursday afternoon to understand the implications of the change.
Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for Paste BN. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.