The Department of Homeland Security has officially terminated Harvard University’s certification to host international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the move Thursday, citing Harvard’s failure to comply with federal requirements and its promotion of what she called an “unsafe campus environment.”
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said in a statement.
Harvard had been certified to enroll up to 6,793 international students during the 2024–25 academic year through the now-suspended program.
The action means Harvard will be prohibited from admitting any foreign nationals on F-1 or J-1 visas for the 2025–2026 academic year, per Trending Politics.
Additionally, all current international students enrolled at Harvard under the SEVP program will be forced to transfer to another certified institution or return to their home countries.
In a letter sent to Maureen Martin, Harvard’s Director of Immigration Services, Noem wrote that the university had failed to provide DHS with requested information multiple times.
She accused the university of ignoring concerns about antisemitic threats, promoting pro-Hamas activism, and continuing to implement racially discriminatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) policies.
“It is a privilege to enroll foreign students, and it is also a privilege to employ aliens on campus,” Noem said, warning that Harvard had lost both privileges due to non-compliance.
The letter warned that providing “materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent information” could subject the university to criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
Noem further demanded that Harvard submit all records related to foreign students’ involvement in protests, demonstrations, or other events that contributed to threats or violence against Jewish students.
She also requested a list of all faculty, staff, and students who have received funding from foreign governments or foreign-backed organizations.
The DHS action follows closely on the heels of the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke $2.7 million in federal research grants previously awarded to Harvard.
The administration has taken a hard stance on antisemitism and foreign influence on college campuses, especially within elite institutions.
Harvard will not be allowed to reapply for SEVP certification unless it demonstrates full compliance with DHS rules and resolves all outstanding violations.
In her statement, Noem made it clear that this action serves as a warning to all American universities benefiting from taxpayer-supported programs.
“Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing,” Noem said. “It refused.”
