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Trump administration prohibits Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, fallout likely for Indians

Citing non-compliance, the order said, "This action should not surprise you and is the unfortunate result of Harvard's failure to comply with simple reporting requirements."

South First Desk

Published May 23, 2025 | 10:30 AM ⚊ Updated May 23, 2025 | 10:30 AM

Harvard University

Harvard University. (Wikimedia commons)

Synopsis: On May 22, 2025, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, citing non-compliance with DHS regulations and accusations of fostering antisemitism, pro-Hamas sentiment, and unsafe conditions. The Department of Homeland Security demanded extensive records on nonimmigrant students and warned other universities of similar action. Harvard has 72 hours to regain certification.

In a major set back to international students, United States of America President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday, 22 May, revoked Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students.

In a letter addressed to the University, the Department of Homeland Security noted that the administration has revoked Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effective immediately, due to non compliance with the department, while “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies.”

Noting that ability to enrol foreign students is a privilege and not a right, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted that, “All universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting requirements under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations, to maintain this privilege.”

They further asked the already enrolled students to shift to different universities to maintain their non-immigrant status, and warned other universities of similar action if they didn’t comply with the law and “root out the evils of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses.”

“The revocation of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means that Harvard is prohibited from having any aliens on F- or J- nonimmigrant status for the 2025-2026 academic school year. This decertification also means that existing aliens on For J-nonimmigrant status must transfer to another university in order to maintain their nonimmigrant status,” the order read.

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Non-compliance with administration

Citing non-compliance, the order said, “This action should not surprise you and is the unfortunate result of Harvard’s failure to comply with simple reporting requirements.”

Noem further listed, “On 16 April, 2025, I requested records pertaining to nonimmigrant students enrolled at Harvard University, including information regarding misconduct and other offenses that would render foreign students inadmissible or removable. On 30 April, 2025, Harvard’s counsel provided information that he represented as responsive to my request. It was not. As a courtesy that Harvard was not legally entitled to, the Acting DHS General Counsel responded on my behalf and afforded Harvard another opportunity to comply. Harvard again provided an insufficient response.”

The department, however, gave the University another opportunity to regain the Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification for the next academic year, if they provide the information requested by the administration in 72 hours.

“Please be advised that providing materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent information may subject you to criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1001. Other criminal and civil sanctions may also apply,” they warned.

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What information is the administration asking

  • Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding illegal activity whether on or off campus, by a nonimmigrant student enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.
  • Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding dangerous or violent activity whether on or off campus, by a nonimmigrant student enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.
  • Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding threats to other students or university personnel whether on or off campus, by a nonimmigrant student enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.
  • Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding deprivation of rights of other classmates or university personnel whether on or off campus, by a nonimmigrant student enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.
  • Any and all disciplinary records of all nonimmigrant students enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.
  • Any and all audio or video footage, in the possession of Harvard University, of any protest activity involving a nonimmigrant student on a Harvard University campus in the last five years.

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

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