Harvard’s ability to enrol international students halted by Trump administration

The Trump administration on Thursday barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, dealing a major blow to the school after freezing billions of dollars in federal funding and taking its fight with top colleges to a new level. The Department of Homeland Security said existing international students must transfer to another school or lose their legal status.

The administration revoked Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which gives the school the ability to sponsor international students to get their visas and attend school in the United States.

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The administration notified Harvard about the decision after a back-and-forth in recent days over the legality of a sprawling records request as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s investigation.

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“I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” stated a letter sent to the university by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”

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Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing, she said. “It refused.” Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country, said Noem.

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Harvard has responded by calling the government’s action unlawful.

“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community.”

Harvard enrols almost 6,800 foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, accounting for more than a quarter of its student body. Most are graduate students, coming from more than 100 countries.