Trump Administration Bars Harvard from Enrolling International Students

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

President Donald Trump’s administration has halted Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students in the latest step to get Harvard to comply with its demands.

Last Month, the university said in a letter that it would be defying Trump’s list of demands — which included expelling pro-Palestinian protesters and cutting DEI programs. Failure to comply would result in the university losing federal funding. The administration also threatened to remove Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

On Thursday, the Trump administration took things a step further. In a letter obtained by The New York Times, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that Harvard would no longer be allowed to admit international students. The move came after the Noem ordered the university to hand over records of international students’ “illegal and violent activities.”

The report continues:

“I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” according to a letter sent to the university by Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary. A copy of the letter was obtained by The New York Times.

Spokesmen for the Department of Homeland Security and Harvard did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to data published by CNN, international student make up more than 27% of Harvard’s enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year.