Harvard banned from accepting international students, existing students must transfer to other schools

President Donald Trump's administration has taken the unprecedented step of revoking Harvard University's ability to admit foreign students.

This decision, announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem through a letter posted on social network X, means that Harvard can no longer enroll new international students and existing international students will have to transfer to other schools or risk losing their legal status in the US. Harvard has called the move illegal and is preparing legal action to reverse it.

According to an official statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Harvard University has been decertified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows universities to accept foreign students on student visas. The reason for this move is Harvard's alleged failure to cooperate with the Department's requirements.

As early as April 16, 2025, Noem sent a letter to Harvard requesting detailed records of international students who may have engaged in "illegal or violent activities," including protests on campus. Harvard partially responded to these requests but refused to provide the details, which DHS said was a violation of the law.

Harvard called the DHS decision "illegal" and in violation of legal standards. In a statement, the university said the move by the Trump administration is part of a broader campaign against academic freedom and international students, who make up about a quarter of Harvard's student population. The university stressed that international students contribute not only financially but also through their research and academic work, and that the policy threatens the school's financial stability and freedom of expression.

Harvard also warned of the uncertainty the move brings for international students, especially those preparing for the upcoming academic year or due to graduate in a few days. In response to the administration's threats, the university in April already allowed international students to accept offers from other universities as a backup plan, an unusual move since students usually have to confirm an exclusive commitment to one school by May 1.

International students play a key role in the financial health of U.S. universities because they typically pay full tuition without access to federal financial aid. Thus, the decertification of SEVP could mean significant financial losses for Harvard, as international students represent a significant source of revenue. Beyond the financial impact, however, the decision threatens the academic freedom and research potential of the university, as international students and scholars contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

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