MUMBAI: Harvard University has been barred from admitting international students for the 2025–26 academic year after the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked its SEVP certification.
The move comes amid allegations that Harvard failed to cooperate with government inquiries and fostered a campus environment hostile to Jewish students, supported pro-Hamas sympathies and promoted discriminatory diversity policies.
This unprecedented action raises serious concerns for current and prospective international students at the prestigious institution.
What’s happening? A simple explanation for Indian students
Harvard was blocked from admitting international students because the DHS cancelled its SEVP certification—a government approval that allows universities to enroll students from other countries on F-1 or J-1 visas.
Why did this happen?
According to a letter sent by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on May 22, Harvard repeatedly failed to cooperate with government requests for information. The letter also accuses the university of:
- Creating a campus environment hostile to Jewish students.
- Supporting pro-Hamas sympathies.
- Promoting what she described as racist diversity policies.
- Because of these reasons, DHS says Harvard lost the privilege to host international students.
What does this mean for students?
New international students will not be allowed to join Harvard under F-1 or J-1 visas in 2025–26. Current international students must transfer to another university if they want to maintain their visa status.
Can Harvard fix this?
Yes, but only if it acts quickly. DHS has given Harvard 72 hours to provide several types of information, including:
- Records of illegal, dangerous, or violent activity involving international students in the past five years,
- Any threats or incidents where students may have violated others’ rights.
- Disciplinary records and protest footage involving international students.
- DHS has warned that providing false information could lead to criminal charges.
Key flashpoints in the Trump vs Harvard conflict
January 2017 – Trump’s inauguration & travel banWithin days of taking office, President Donald Trump issues the first version of the travel ban, restricting entry from several Muslim-majority countries. Harvard publicly condemns the order, with President Drew Faust calling it "cruel and blunt."
June 2017 – Harvard admits DACA students amid threats to the programHarvard reaffirms its support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Trump later moves to end DACA, sparking legal battles in which Harvard joins as a plaintiff to protect undocumented students.
August 2017 – Trump attacks affirmative action; DOJ targets HarvardThe Department of Justice (DOJ) begins an investigation into whether Harvard’s affirmative action policies discriminate against Asian-American applicants. This begins a legal saga that Trump-era officials use to challenge race-conscious admissions nationally.
October 2019 – Federal court backs Harvard in affirmative action caseA federal judge upholds Harvard’s admissions process, saying race can be considered in a holistic review. The Trump DOJ appeals the ruling, escalating the legal battle into a broader ideological clash over diversity in higher education.
July 2020 – ICE rule to deport foreign students taking online-only classesAmid the pandemic, ICE announces that foreign students must leave the U.S. if their schools switch to online-only learning. Harvard and MIT sue the Trump administration. Trump backs down within a week under legal and public pressure.
December 2020 – NIH halts $110M in research grants to Harvard affiliatesThe National Institutes of Health suspends or freezes multiple grants to Harvard and its hospitals, citing noncompliance with Trump-era disclosure requirements (especially regarding foreign researchers and China ties). Harvard criticized the move as politically motivated and damaging to scientific progress.
2024–25 – Re-emergence of Trump influenceTrump regains political momentum heading into the 2024 election. His allies return to targeting elite institutions like Harvard, accusing them of harbouring "anti-American" values and "pro-Hamas" sympathies.
May 22, 2025 – DHS revokes Harvard’s SEVP certificationUnder DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard is barred from enrolling international students due to alleged non-compliance and promotion of a "hostile campus." This marks the most severe federal action ever taken against Harvard by any administration.