Trump Drops the Hammer: Harvard Banned from Enrolling International Students Amid Explosive Allegations

The Trump administration has delivered a seismic blow to Harvard University, America's oldest and wealthiest academic institution. The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, barring the university from enrolling international students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This unprecedented move, affecting 6,793 international students, 27% of Harvard’s enrollment, marks a dramatic escalation in a months-long standoff. With billions in federal funding already slashed and legal battles intensifying, Harvard’s future hangs in the balance as it fights to preserve its global academic mission.

Trump’s Punitive Campaign Intensifies

The revocation, announced on May 22, 2025, forces current international students to transfer to other universities or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. Harvard, which hosts students from over 140 countries, calls the action “unlawful” and “retaliatory,” citing its resistance to administration demands on admissions, curriculum, and handling of antisemitism allegations.

The policy threatens Harvard’s athletic programs, with 21% of its 919 varsity athletes (196 students) hailing from international hometowns, including seven of eight rowers on the men’s heavyweight crew team, recent Eastern Sprints champions.

Recent reports detail a broader pressure campaign, with $2.6 billion in federal grants frozen since March 2025, including $60 million cut by the Department of Health and Human Services on May 20 for alleged failures to address antisemitic harassment.

Did You Know? Harvard, founded in 1636, enrolls 6,793 international students from over 140 countries, contributing 27% to its 2024-2025 student body, a figure that has grown steadily over two decades.

Academic Community and Legal Pushback

Harvard’s leadership, under President Alan Garber, is fighting back. The university has sued the administration, alleging violations of the First Amendment and federal law, and launched a “Presidential Priorities Fund” to offset funding losses, with Garber taking a 25% pay cut to support operations.

Online sentiment reflects widespread alarm, with academics and students decrying the policy as a devastating blow to global education. Some argue it’s a politically motivated attack on Harvard’s perceived liberal bias, fueled by prior controversies, including Claudine Gay’s resignation as president in August 2024 amid plagiarism and antisemitism disputes.

Harvard’s lawsuit claims the administration’s actions aim to control academic decision-making, a charge echoed by higher education experts who call the SEVP revocation a violation of legal procedures.

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Global and Domestic Implications

The crackdown has ripple effects. International students, like Sweden’s Leo Gerdén, face uncertainty, with some nearing graduation unable to stay in the U.S. The policy could deter future applicants, threatening Harvard’s diversity and research prowess.

Reputed media reports suggest the administration may target other universities, with Columbia already losing $400 million in funding. Meanwhile, highlight fears that the move undermines U.S. higher education’s global standing, especially as India’s news sites note declining job prospects for international graduates. Harvard’s $9 billion endowment offers a buffer, but sustained cuts could force staff layoffs and reduced research.

What’s Next for Harvard?

As Harvard navigates lawsuits and funding challenges, its ability to maintain its academic mission is at stake. The university vows to support affected students, but transferring thousands at this stage is daunting.

With the administration signaling broader crackdowns, the academic world watches closely. Will Harvard’s legal efforts restore its status, or will the incident mark a turning point for elite institutions?