Harvard University was officially prohibited from enrolling international students after the Trump government revokes its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (Student and Exchange). The measure was communicated in a letter sent on Wednesday (22) by the Secretary of Internal Security, Kristi Noem, and represents a direct clash between the White House and one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The document accuses Harvard not to collaborate with requests for information about foreign students, as well as stating that the university houses an “insecure, hostile environment to Jewish students” and promotes “racist policies of diversity, equity and inclusion”.
The decision has immediate effects: Harvard is prevented from receiving students with F or J visas for the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, foreigners already enrolled should transfer to other institutions if they want to maintain their legal status in the US.
The information was revealed by The New York Timesand then confirmed by the US internal security department (DHS): “This means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” a statement said.
DHS notified Harvard after days of legal impasse around a request for access to documents, considered excessive by university lawyers. Three sources near the negotiations confirmed the details to NOW.
Check out the Trump government letter in full:
I write to inform that, with immediate effect, the Harvard University certification in the student and exchange visitors program is revoked.
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As I explained in my letter from April, it is a privilege enrolling foreign students, and also employing foreigners on campus. All universities must comply with the requirements of the Internal Security Department (DHS), including report requirements according to program rules. Due to Harvard’s refusal to fulfill multiple requests for essential information, and for maintaining a hostile environment for Jewish students, sympathetic to Hamas, and with “racist” policies of diversity, equity and inclusion, this privilege was lost.
Revocation means that Harvard is prohibited from receiving students with F or J visas in the 2025-2026 school year. Already enrolled students should transfer to maintain their legal status.
This action should not surprise and is a direct result of Harvard’s failure to meet simple report requirements.
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On April 16, 2025, I requested records on foreign students related to misconduct and illegal activities. On April 30, Harvard lawyers provided an answer considered insufficient.
Although Harvard has no legal obligation to answer, a new opportunity was given. Harvard again failed to present the appropriate data.
Consequences must exist to send a clear message to Harvard and other institutions: the Trump government will comply with the law and eliminate anti -Americanism and the anti -Semitism of society and campuses.
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If Harvard wishes to restore his certification before the next school year, he must provide all the information requested within 72 hours.
False or fraudulent information may lead to criminal sanctions under article 18 USC § 1001, as well as other penalties.
I request the following information:
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- All official records or not, including videos, on illegal activities involving foreign Harvard students in the last 5 years
- Records on dangerous or violent activities of these students on campus or outside.
- Data on threats to other students or staff
- Information on rights violations of other students or employees.
- Disciplinary records of all foreign students in the last 5 years
- Images of protests with the participation of foreigners in Harvard campus in the same period
Yours sincerely,
Kristi calls
INTERNAL SECURITY SECRETARY
