In a surprising development that has sent ripples through the academic community, the Trump administration, via the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has revoked Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This unprecedented action prohibits Harvard from enrolling new international students and jeopardizes the legal status of approximately 6,800 foreign students currently attending the institution.

The announcement was made on Thursday, May 22, 2025, compelling existing international students holding F-1 (academic) and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas to either transfer to another SEVP-certified school or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. While those graduating this semester can complete their degrees, the outlook for students continuing their studies in the 2025-2026 academic year is now uncertain.

The rationale provided by the Trump administration for this drastic measure revolves around Harvard's alleged failure to comply with requests for essential information regarding its international student population. Secretary Noem accused the university of fostering an unsafe environment for Jewish students, promoting pro-Hamas sentiments, and implementing discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. This action intensifies the ongoing ideological clash between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions, with Harvard being a key target. Previous confrontations have included funding cuts and criticism regarding the university's management of campus protests.

The DHS has granted Harvard a tight 72-hour deadline to meet specific demands, including providing disciplinary records for international students and any recordings of protest activities, to potentially regain its SEVP status. Secretary Noem emphasized that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and criticized Harvard for not taking the necessary steps to comply with regulations, warning that this serves as a cautionary tale for other universities across the nation.

In response, Harvard University has labeled the administration's actions as unlawful and a direct threat to its academic integrity. University officials are swiftly working to assist affected students, and a legal challenge against the decision is expected. Immigration law experts have noted that such revocations are rare and typically occur due to administrative issues rather than politically motivated reasons.

The ramifications of this decision extend well beyond Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With nearly 27% of its student body being international, the university risks losing a vital part of its academic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, the administration's warning to other institutions indicates that similar actions could be taken against universities perceived as non-compliant with government directives, potentially altering the landscape of international education in the U.S. The uncertainty faced by thousands of students and the precedent set by this decision may lead to further legal and political disputes, raising significant concerns about academic freedom and federal oversight in higher education.

According to Harvard's official website, between 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars enroll at the university each year, with 788 currently studying there. This recent move could have a profound impact on these students, as they may now need to urgently consider their options following the suspension of Harvard's SEVP certification, which affects nearly 6,800 international students, primarily in graduate programs.