Christie Noem, head of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has revoked Harvard’s accreditation to register new foreign students. International students who are already enrolled in the university will now need to transfer to another school or lose their legal status in the United States.
The government’s move, released Thursday, is the latest in escalating tensions between Harvard University and the Trump administration.
Here’s what we know about this move and its impact:
What does Christy Noem’s Letter Bar Harvard do?
In a letter to Harvard President Alan Gerber, Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced that Harvard University Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) certification will be revoked “instantly effective.”
This means that Harvard University will no longer be able to register new students on the “F-” or “J-” visas normally required to attend US universities as non-immigrants. These visas already require Harvard students to move to another school if they want to legally remain in the US.
Noem accused the university of “promoting violence, anti-Semitism and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party.”
In an earlier letter on April 16, DHS threatened to revoke eligibility for Harvard international students to register unless they provided disciplinary records and information about participating in the protest.
Why is Trump targeting Harvard?
Tensions have increased at Harvard since student protests over Israel’s war against Israel’s Gaza war swept campus last year.
The Trump administration accused Harvard of creating a “dangerous and hostile” campus, citing that it had not suppressed anti-Semitism incidents and “Prohama activism.” Authorities also criticised the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as discriminatory and raised doubts about its relationship with Chinese institutions, but no direct evidence has been made public.
In April, the Trump administration frozen nearly $2.3 billion in federal funds to Harvard over its claims it had failed to tackle ramp-prolonged anti-Semitism on campus.
The administration announced the freeze after Harvard rejected a series of requests that it said would be exposed to excessive government control, including agreeing to external audits of faculty and students to ensure “diversity of perspectives.” The DHS also requested detailed records of international students, including disciplinary action and potential security concerns.
In May, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote to Harvard University, saying elite universities should not create “ock ha ha” for higher education and seek federal grants to “no one is offered.”
“Harvard is no longer a publicly funded institution, instead operating as a privately funded institution, which can use its enormous donations to raise funds from large bases of wealthy alumni,” McMahon wrote in the letter.
Thursday’s decision to revoke Harvard’s SEVP accreditation is widely seen as retaliation for the university’s refusal to fully comply with federal requests. It is unclear whether the Trump administration will restore Harvard’s SEVP certification if the university provides the information currently requested.
How can the US government stop private universities from registering foreign students?
The US government has two main ways to prohibit universities from registering international students.
First, you can revoke your school’s SEVP certification. This allows the school to accept international students. Without it, Harvard would no longer be able to issue Form I-20 documents that require students to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. This is the step the government took on Thursday.
Second, the government can completely deny student visas. If the US Department of State has reviewed visa applications and says that students plan to attend a school that does not have SEVP accreditation, such as Harvard University, their visa can be denied. This means that students will not be allowed to enter the United States to study at Harvard University, even if they are already accepted.
How many students does this affect?
The move to block enrollment of overseas students has affected around 6,800 foreign students currently studying at Harvard, accounting for around 27% of the total student population. These students now need to find a place to study at other universities in the United States or risk leaving the country.
As of September 2024, Harvard University’s overseas students came from 146 countries. Students from China, Canada and India account for the largest number collectively representing 40% of the international cohort.
The number of international students at universities has increased by 26.75% over the past four years.
F-1 students usually leave the United States after completing their research for 60 days, while J-1 students usually leave the United States for 30 days. However, if a student’s status is terminated due to a violation, you may need to leave immediately. For Harvard University, it is unclear how much time international students will be given to transfer or departure.
How much does Harvard earn from foreign students?
Most international students at Harvard University are $59,320 for the 2024-25 academic year, either directly paying or via scholarships. Rooms and board of directors and other mandatory fees are an additional $27,606 per student. This brings a total of $86,926 per year.
Although Harvard’s exact revenue figures have not been published, annual revenues would be over $591 million if all 6,800 foreign students pay full tuition and additional fees.
International students also have a wider economic impact in the United States. They donated approximately $43.8 billion to the US economy between the 2023-2024 academic year, according to the NAFSA International Educators Association.
The states with the largest economic activity derived from international students were California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Illinois.
How did Harvard respond?
Harvard opposed the DHS decision, calling the move “illegal” and “deeply damaging” and “deeply damaging” to academic missions.
In an official statement, the school said it is fully committed to supporting the global community. “Harvard is dedicated to supporting international students and academics who are extremely contributing to the learning environment,” the statement said.
The university’s legal team reportedly considers the impact of government actions and prepares for a lawsuit if certification does not recover.
In the meantime, Harvard has set up dedicated advisory resources to help students understand their rights and explore transfer options.