Trump DHS blocks Harvard's ability to enroll international students

The Trump administration told Harvard University on Thursday it would no longer be allowed to enroll international students, a significant escalation in President Trump's war against the university.

Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ordered Harvard to be taken off the Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.   

Along with not allowing new foreign students, DHS said the thousands of current foreign-born students at Harvard "must transfer or lose their legal status.” 

The Hill has reached out to Harvard for comment.  

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said Noem. “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.  

“Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” Noem added. 

International students made up 27 percent of Harvard’s student body in the 2024-2025 academic year, with nearly 7,000 enrolled.

The New York Times was the first to report the news. One person familiar with the discussions told The Times Harvard will likely mount a legal challenge to the move.

The university and DHS have reportedly been battling for days over records requests regarding information about Harvard’s international students and their visas.

The Trump administration has launched a multi-front pressure campaign against Harvard after the university refused bow to its demands for changes to its admissions and hiring policies, as well as getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.  

The Trump administration and Harvard are already locked into a legal battle after the federal government pulled almost $3 billion in funding.  

—Updated at 2:32 p.m. EDT