Key Takeaways
• On May 22, 2025, DHS revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification, blocking international student enrollment immediately.
• Harvard’s 6,793 international students (27.2% enrollment) must transfer, change visa status, or leave the U.S.
• DHS demands detailed student records citing safety, protests, and alleged ties to Chinese Communist Party.
On May 22, 2025, the Trump administration took the unprecedented step of revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) was withdrawn, effective immediately. This decision blocks one of the world’s most prestigious universities from hosting international students—a move with sweeping consequences for thousands of students, the university’s academic programs, and the broader landscape of U.S. higher education.
Who is affected?
Harvard’s international student body, which makes up over a quarter of its total enrollment, now faces uncertainty about their academic futures. The decision also sends a strong message to other universities across the United States 🇺🇸 about the federal government’s willingness to use immigration policy as a tool in disputes over campus speech, protests, and institutional autonomy.
What Led to the Revocation?
The conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard had been escalating for weeks. On April 16, 2025, DHS canceled two federal grants to Harvard totaling more than $2.7 million. Around the same time, the administration paused approximately $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university. President Trump also threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, stating on Truth Social that “it’s what they deserve.”
The immediate trigger for the SEVP revocation was Harvard’s response to a DHS demand for detailed records on international students. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem gave Harvard until April 30, 2025, to provide information about student visa holders, including any criminal records, threats to campus safety, or disciplinary actions related to protests. DHS cited Title 8 of the U.S. Code, which requires schools to keep records on international students’ academic status and conduct.
When Harvard’s response was deemed “insufficient,” Secretary Noem announced the revocation, accusing the university of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” She warned that this action should “serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
What Is SEVP Certification and Why Does It Matter?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a federal program managed by the Department of Homeland Security. It certifies U.S. schools to enroll international students and allows those students to apply for F-1 or J-1 visas to study in the United States. Without SEVP certification, a university cannot legally host international students, and those students cannot obtain the necessary visas to enter or remain in the country.
- F-1 Visa: For academic students enrolled in degree programs.
- J-1 Visa: For exchange visitors, including scholars and researchers.
For more information about SEVP and student visas, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP page.
How Many Students Are Impacted?
Harvard’s international student population is among the largest in the United States 🇺🇸. According to the university, there were 6,793 international students enrolled for the 2024-25 academic year, representing 27.2% of total enrollment. This percentage has been rising steadily, from 11.8% in the Class of 2024 to 15.6% in the Class of 2027.
Immediate consequences for students include:
– Current international students must either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution, change their immigration status, or leave the United States.
– Incoming students admitted to the Class of 2029 will not be able to obtain student visas to begin their studies at Harvard.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, more than 600 international students across the U.S. have had their visa status changed under the Trump administration, including at least 12 current or recent Harvard students.
What Are the Options for Harvard’s International Students?
The revocation of SEVP certification leaves international students with three main options:
- Transfer to Another SEVP-Certified School:
Students can apply to transfer their SEVIS records to another university that retains SEVP certification. This process must be completed quickly to avoid falling out of status. The SEVIS Transfer Procedure explains the steps involved. - Change Immigration Status:
Some students may be eligible to change to another visa category, such as a work visa (H-1B) or dependent visa, but this process is complex and not available to everyone. -
Depart the United States:
Students who cannot transfer or change status will be required to leave the country, potentially disrupting their education and future plans.
Example Scenario:
A graduate student from India 🇮🇳 studying at Harvard on an F-1 visa receives notice that the university’s SEVP certification has been revoked. She must quickly decide whether to transfer to another university, apply for a different visa, or return home. If she chooses to transfer, she must find a new program willing to accept her and complete the transfer paperwork before her current status expires.
What Does Harvard Say?
Harvard spokesperson Sarah E. Kennedy O’Reilly confirmed that the university received the DHS letter but reiterated Harvard’s commitment to its independence and constitutional rights. As of May 22, 2025, neither Harvard nor DHS had provided further public comment.
Harvard’s leadership faces a difficult decision: comply with DHS demands for detailed student records, which could raise privacy and legal concerns, or continue to resist, risking further penalties and ongoing exclusion from enrolling international students.
What Does DHS Want from Harvard?
According to Secretary Noem’s letter, Harvard can regain its SEVP certification by providing DHS with:
- Criminal records relating to nonimmigrant (international) students
- Information on visa holders who are “known threats to other students or university personnel”
- Records of “obstruction of the school’s learning environment”
- Details of any disciplinary actions for threats or participation in protests
These requirements go beyond standard SEVP reporting, which typically includes academic status, enrollment, and address information. The DHS cites Title 8 of the U.S. Code, which governs immigration and nationality, as the legal basis for these demands.
For reference:
– Title 8 of the U.S. Code
– SEVP School Certification
Why Is This Happening Now?
The Trump administration’s actions against Harvard are part of a broader campaign targeting elite universities over issues such as campus protests, free speech, and alleged antisemitism. The administration has accused Harvard and other institutions of allowing “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” to spread on campus, especially in the wake of protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Secretary Noem’s statements suggest that the administration views the revocation as both a punishment for Harvard and a warning to other universities. The move also aligns with a wider crackdown on international students involved in political activism, particularly those participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
What Are the Broader Implications?
For International Students:
This decision creates immediate uncertainty and hardship for thousands of students who have invested time, money, and effort to study at Harvard. Many face the prospect of disrupted education, financial loss, and the challenge of finding new academic homes on short notice.
For Harvard:
Losing SEVP certification damages Harvard’s reputation as a global institution and could affect its ability to attract top talent from around the world. The university also risks losing future federal funding and faces ongoing scrutiny from the federal government.
For Other Universities:
The action sets a precedent that the federal government can use SEVP certification as leverage in disputes with universities. Other institutions may feel pressure to comply with federal demands or risk similar penalties.
For U.S. Higher Education:
The United States 🇺🇸 has long been a top destination for international students, who contribute billions of dollars to the economy and enrich campus life. Policies that restrict international enrollment could have long-term effects on the country’s academic competitiveness and global standing.
What Happens Next?
Harvard can seek to regain its SEVP certification by complying with DHS demands, but this may involve legal challenges over student privacy and academic freedom. The university could also pursue litigation to contest the revocation, arguing that the federal government is overstepping its authority.
In the meantime, international students must make quick decisions about their futures. Universities across the country are watching closely, as the outcome could shape federal-university relations for years to come.
Practical Guidance for Affected Students
If you are an international student at Harvard, here are immediate steps to consider:
- Contact Harvard’s International Office: Seek guidance on your specific situation and available options.
- Review SEVP Transfer Procedures: If you plan to transfer, start the process as soon as possible to avoid status violations.
- Consult an Immigration Attorney: Legal advice can help you understand your rights and options, especially if you are considering changing your visa status.
- Monitor Official Updates: Stay informed through official Harvard communications and DHS announcements.
For more information on maintaining student status and SEVP requirements, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP page.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for International Education
The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification marks a turning point in the relationship between the federal government and American universities. It highlights the vulnerability of international students to policy shifts and the growing use of immigration enforcement as a tool in broader political and cultural conflicts.
As the situation develops, affected students, university leaders, and policymakers will need to navigate complex legal, ethical, and practical challenges. The outcome will shape not only the future of Harvard’s international programs but also the role of the United States as a destination for global talent.
Key Takeaways:
– Harvard’s SEVP certification revoked: International students cannot enroll or remain at Harvard without transferring, changing status, or leaving the U.S.
– Thousands affected: Over 6,700 students face immediate decisions about their academic and immigration futures.
– Broader implications: The move signals a shift in U.S. policy toward international education and raises questions about academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
– Stay informed and act quickly: Affected students should seek guidance, explore transfer options, and consult legal experts.
For ongoing updates and analysis, VisaVerge.com reports that this case will likely influence how universities and the federal government interact on issues of student visas, campus protests, and academic independence for years to come.
Learn Today
Department of Homeland Security → U.S. federal agency overseeing immigration, border security, and protecting internal safety.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) → Federal program certifying U.S. schools to enroll international students via F-1 or J-1 visas.
SEVP Certification → Authorization allowing U.S. universities to host international students legally and issue visa documents.
F-1 Visa → Nonimmigrant visa for academic students enrolling full-time in U.S. degree programs.
Title 8 U.S. Code → Legal authority governing immigration regulations, including student record-keeping and visa compliance.
This Article in a Nutshell
In May 2025, DHS revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification, halting international student enrollment. Over 6,700 students face transfers, visa changes, or departure, highlighting tensions between immigration enforcement and academic freedom at elite U.S. universities impacting global education.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
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• Immigration Nominee calls to end Optional Practical Training for students
• UK government unveils major immigration reforms to cut net migration
• UK Immigration White Paper calls for big changes to student visas
• Immigration New Zealand urges students to apply early for visa processing
