President Trump’s administration has banned Harvard University from enrolling international students starting in the 2025–2026 academic year. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the school’s visa certification claiming Harvard fosters antisemitism promotes unrest and works with the Chinese Communist Party. 

“The order affects around 6,800 foreign students which is over a quarter of Harvard’s total enrollment.”

Noem said current international students must transfer or lose legal status and warned other universities may be targeted next. In a letter to Harvard Noem gave the school 72 hours to turn over detailed records about student protests and foreign affiliations. She demanded audio video and disciplinary files from the last five years.

Harvard Fights Back Against Federal Crackdown

Harvard immediately denounced the move as illegal and retaliatory. The university said it refused to comply with Noem’s previous demands for private student data. The school insisted it remains committed to global education and will defend its mission in court. A spokesperson said this action severely harms the institution and endangers the academic careers of students worldwide. Critics in Congress called the decision authoritarian and damaging to U.S. academic leadership. 

Representative Jaime Raskin described it as an intolerable assault on higher education. The Trump administration has already frozen $3 billion in federal funds linked to Harvard prompting the university to file a lawsuit. A federal judge ruled this week that the government cannot strip foreign students of legal status without following regulatory procedures. It is unclear how that ruling will impact the situation at Harvard. Noem confirmed in a Fox News interview that more universities could face similar actions in the coming weeks. The Chinese Embassy has not yet responded to the developments.