In a sweeping and unprecedented move, the Department of Homeland Security has revoked Harvard University’s certification to host international students effectively forcing thousands to transfer or leave the United States before the next academic year begins.
The decision, announced Thursday, follows what DHS described as Harvard’s “refusal to comply” with repeated requests for protest-related footage and disciplinary records of foreign students. The agency cited concerns over what it labeled “pro-terrorist conduct” during recent campus demonstrations.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “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.”
A 72-Hour Ultimatum and a Rejected Lifeline
In a stern letter sent to Harvard’s director of immigration services, Maureen Martin, Noem wrote: “As a result of your brazen refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas rhetoric, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have lost this privilege.”
Noem offered a narrow lifeline: a 72-hour window to submit the demanded information in full footage, records, and student behavior reports to potentially reinstate visa privileges for the 2025–2026 academic year. That deadline now looms.
“direct result of Harvard’s epic failure to comply with simple reporting requirements.,” Noem said.
Harvard Responds: ‘This Is Unlawful’
Harvard hit back, calling the administration’s action “retaliatory” and “unlawful.”
“The government’s action is unlawful,” said university spokesperson Jason Newton in a statement. “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably.”
Newton warned the decision “threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The Stakes: Footage, Records, and a $3 Billion Freeze
At the heart of DHS’s demands are student disciplinary records from the past five years and any video or documentation of protest activity involving foreign students, particularly those accused of inciting violence or violating others’ rights on campus.
Last month, DHS issued formal requests for these materials, which were followed by what Noem described as “an insufficient, incomplete and unacceptable response.” The department’s general counsel escalated the request, only to receive the same outcome.
“Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students, that the Trump administration will enforce the law and root out the evils of antisemitism in society and campuses,” Noem said.
So far, Harvard has not issued further public comment.
Fallout Continues: Visas Revoked, Funds Frozen
The visa termination comes on the heels of broader federal action. At least a dozen Harvard students have already had their U.S. study authorizations revoked over their participation in recent pro-Gaza campus protests.
In parallel, the Trump administration froze nearly $3 billion in federal research funding to the university and launched a multi-agency investigation involving the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services. Their collective aim: probe Harvard’s alleged failures to combat antisemitism and eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) from university policy.
This crackdown is part of a larger government push. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers this week that the U.S. had “probably” revoked thousands of student visas already, and vowed that more would follow.
“We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities,” Rubio said Tuesday.
“A visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Widespread Protests Fuel Policy Shift
Harvard’s troubles come amid a nationwide wave of pro-Gaza student protests that erupted following Israel’s October 7 offensive against Hamas. Demonstrators have staged encampments, sit-ins, and walkouts demanding their universities divest from Israeli interests.
In response, the Trump administration has adopted a hardline approach—clamping down on foreign student visas, linking campus unrest to national security, and demanding compliance from academic institutions or facing federal retribution.
Just last month, Harvard signaled it was bracing for the storm, offering foreign students the rare option to accept admission at both Harvard and a university in their home country a move many saw as a direct hedge against anticipated federal visa restrictions.
Now, with its visa program effectively shuttered, Harvard faces a stark new reality and international students are left scrambling for answers.
