San Francisco, May 23 – The U.S. administration under Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University's certification to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This means the university is no longer allowed to admit new foreign students. The decision was announced by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, who cited repeated violations of federal laws by Harvard as the reason.

Secretary Noem stated that admitting international students is a "privilege, not a right," and Harvard has lost that privilege. She said the university failed to comply with federal guidelines, particularly after refusing to remove diversity and inclusion programs and declining to evaluate international students for ideological concerns. In April, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard as a result. According to data from Fall 2023, more than 27% of Harvard's student body were international students.

The DHS has issued a notice to Harvard stating that the university has 72 hours to provide necessary information if it wishes to regain its certification before the next academic year. Until then, no new foreign students can be admitted, and current international students may have to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal student status.

Harvard responded by calling the action unlawful and retaliatory, saying it threatens the university's academic mission and its international student community. The university reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its diverse student body, which includes over 788 students from India. Harvard also criticized the move as an attack on higher education, freedom of thought, and research integrity.

Former President Trump had earlier criticized Harvard on his social platform, calling it a "joke" and threatening to cut government research ties unless it accepted political oversight. The latest action adds to tensions between top U.S. universities and federal policies under the Trump administration.