In a decision that angered many on the left side, the Trump administration has taken decisive action against Harvard University’s woke agenda by revoking its ability to enroll international students.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials cited Harvard’s permissive attitude toward “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” who have created an unsafe environment for Jewish students.
The move affects nearly 6,800 foreign students who must now transfer or leave the country.
This week, the DHS revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effectively ending the prestigious university’s ability to sponsor international students.
Officials stated that Harvard leadership has allowed an unsafe campus environment where anti-American sentiment flourishes and Jewish students face harassment and physical assault.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
The revocation impacts more than a quarter of Harvard’s student population. As of fall 2023, international students comprised over 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment, primarily graduate students from over 100 countries.
Secretary Noem had previously demanded information on alleged criminality and misconduct by foreign students at Harvard, but the university refused to comply, and the administration took action.
The dispute escalated after Noem requested specific information about foreign students involved in violent protests and disruptive activities on campus.
Harvard officials have called the action “unlawful” and claimed it threatens “serious harm to the Harvard community.”
The university is now scrambling to guide affected students while fighting the administration’s decision.
However, Secretary Noem made it clear that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.
This is not the administration’s first clash with Harvard. The federal government had previously frozen $2.2 billion in federal grants to the university over disputes about DEI programs.
The administration has also threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status as part of broader efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
“Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” Noem wrote on X.
Likewise, the administration’s actions signal a significant shift in policy toward elite universities that have increasingly embraced anti-American and anti-Israel sentiment.
By targeting Harvard’s substantial international student population, the Trump administration has found a powerful lever to force compliance with American values on campus.
While legal challenges are expected, the message is clear: universities that permit antisemitism and anti-American activities while coordinating with foreign adversaries like China will face serious consequences.
The revocation serves as a strong reminder that academic freedom does not extend to creating environments hostile to American interests and values.
