Harvard University Banned From Enrolling Foreign Students

Key Takeaways

• DHS revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification on May 22, 2025, banning new international student enrollments.
• 6,703 international students at Harvard, including 1,203 Chinese, must transfer or risk losing legal status.
• Harvard faces accusations of CCP collaboration, campus violence, and received $151 million in foreign donations.

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a decision that sent shockwaves through the academic world: Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was terminated. This move, announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, immediately barred Harvard from enrolling new international students and forced thousands of current foreign students to either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or risk losing their legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. The decision, justified by allegations of Harvard’s collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as claims of fostering violence and antisemitism on campus, has sparked global controversy, legal challenges, and deep uncertainty for students, families, and universities worldwide.

What Happened and Why?

Who is affected?
All international students at Harvard University—numbering 6,703 in 2024, including 1,203 from China 🇨🇳—are directly impacted. This includes high-profile individuals such as Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, the future queen of Belgium, who is currently enrolled at Harvard and now faces the same transfer or departure dilemma as her peers.

What did DHS do?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification. SEVP is the federal program that allows U.S. schools to enroll international students on F-1 (academic) and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. Without this certification, Harvard cannot legally host new or existing international students.

When did this happen?
The action took effect immediately on May 22, 2025.

Where is this taking place?
The ban applies to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but its effects are felt globally, as students from over 100 countries attend Harvard.

Why did DHS act?
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited several reasons:
– Alleged collaboration between Harvard and the Chinese Communist Party, including research partnerships with Chinese institutions and the XPCC (Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps).
– Claims that Harvard fostered violence, antisemitism, and pro-terrorist conduct on campus.
– A sharp rise in campus crime rates, with aggravated assaults up 295% and robberies up 560% from 2022 to 2023.
– Receipt of $151 million in foreign government donations since January 2020.

How does this affect students?
International students must quickly transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or face losing their legal status, which could lead to deportation. New international admissions are suspended, and Harvard’s lawsuit against the government is not expected to bring immediate relief.

Immediate Impact on Students and Families

Forced Transfers and Legal Status Risks

All current international students at Harvard must:
– Transfer to another SEVP-certified U.S. institution or
– Leave the United States if they cannot secure a transfer in time.

If students fail to transfer, their F-1 or J-1 visa status will be terminated, making them subject to removal from the country. This affects not only their education but also their ability to work, participate in research, and maintain health insurance and housing.

Step-by-step process for affected students:
1. Notification: Students receive official notice from Harvard and DHS about the SEVP decertification.
2. Transfer Applications: Students must apply to other SEVP-certified schools. The full list of certified schools is available on the SEVP official website.
3. SEVIS Record Update: Once accepted, the new school updates the student’s SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record, which is essential for maintaining legal status.
4. Visa Status: Students must ensure their visa remains valid during the transfer process. Any gap in enrollment or SEVIS record could result in loss of status.
5. Alternative Destinations: Some students may choose to transfer to universities outside the U.S., such as in the U.K., Canada 🇨🇦, or Hong Kong, which are offering expedited admissions and support.

Example:
A Chinese graduate student at Harvard, midway through a research project, must now scramble to find another university willing to accept transfer credits and provide a new I-20 form (the document required for F-1 visa holders). If the process is not completed quickly, the student risks being forced to leave the U.S., disrupting years of academic work and personal plans.

Special Case: The Future Queen of Belgium

Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, is among those affected. As a Harvard student, she must also transfer or risk losing her legal status. This situation could have diplomatic consequences and has drawn significant international attention, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the DHS decision.

Harvard’s Response and Legal Challenge

Harvard University has strongly condemned the DHS action, calling it “unlawful” and warning that it threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and the broader U.S. academic and research mission. The university has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, seeking to overturn the SEVP decertification. However, legal experts caution that the litigation process could take months or even years, leaving students in a precarious position with no immediate solution.

Harvard’s official statement:
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars… This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”

U.S. Government Justification and Policy Message

Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and that the government will hold universities accountable for failing to meet federal standards or for engaging in controversial international collaborations. The action against Harvard is intended as a warning to other universities across the country.

DHS statement:
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus… Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

Chinese Government and International Reaction

The Chinese government, through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, has publicly criticized the U.S. decision, warning that it will harm America’s international standing and academic reputation. Chinese state media have questioned whether the U.S. will remain a top destination for international students and encouraged students to consider other countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry statement:
“Educational cooperation with the U.S. is mutually beneficial and China opposes its politicization.”

On Chinese social media, the ban has become a major topic, with many expressing concern about the safety and stability of studying in the United States. The move is seen as part of a broader trend of U.S.-China academic tensions, which have included increased visa rejections, shorter visa terms, and previous incidents of Chinese students being interrogated or deported at U.S. airports.

Support from Other Universities

In response to the crisis, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has offered to accept affected Harvard international students, providing streamlined admissions and academic support. Other universities in the U.K. and Canada 🇨🇦 are also actively recruiting displaced students, offering expedited transfer processes and assistance with visas and housing.

Practical guidance for students considering transfer abroad:
– Contact the international office of the prospective university for information on transfer policies and required documents.
– Check if your credits will be recognized and if you need to apply for a new student visa.
– Review deadlines for application and enrollment to avoid gaps in your legal status.

Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education

Precedent for Other Universities

The action against Harvard sets a precedent for other U.S. universities, signaling that the government may take similar steps against institutions perceived as failing to comply with federal standards or engaging in controversial foreign collaborations. This has created anxiety among university administrators and international students nationwide.

Impact on U.S. Reputation and Soft Power

International education analysts warn that the move will damage the United States’ reputation as a top destination for global talent. The uncertainty and risk associated with studying in the U.S. may drive more students to choose alternative destinations, such as the U.K., Canada 🇨🇦, or Asia.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the long-term consequences could include reduced academic collaboration, fewer international research partnerships, and a decline in the U.S.’s ability to attract the world’s best and brightest students.

Diplomatic Fallout

The decision is likely to further strain U.S.-China relations and could prompt retaliatory measures affecting U.S. students or institutions abroad. It also raises questions about the future of academic freedom and the role of universities in international engagement.

Key Statistics and Data

• Harvard international students (2024): 6,703 (25% of student body)
• Chinese students at Harvard (2024): 1,203
• Crime rate increase at Harvard (2022–2023): 55% overall; aggravated assaults up 295%; robberies up 560%
• Foreign government donations to Harvard (since Jan 2020): $151 million (13% of $1.1 billion total foreign donations)

Multiple Perspectives

What Should Affected Students Do Now?

Immediate steps:
– Contact Harvard’s International Office (hio.harvard.edu) for guidance and support.
– Begin transfer applications to other SEVP-certified institutions. The full list is available at SEVP’s official site.
– Monitor your SEVIS record to ensure it is updated by your new institution.
– Consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions about your visa status or legal options.
– Consider alternative destinations if a U.S. transfer is not possible, such as universities in the U.K., Canada 🇨🇦, or Hong Kong.

Official resources:
– U.S. Department of Homeland Security
– Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
– Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

Legal Proceedings

Harvard’s lawsuit against the U.S. government may eventually overturn or modify the SEVP decertification, but no immediate relief is expected. Students should not rely on a quick resolution and must take action to protect their legal status.

Policy Ripple Effects

Other U.S. universities may face increased scrutiny regarding foreign students and international collaborations. University leaders are closely watching the Harvard case for signs of future government enforcement actions.

Shifting Student Flows

With the U.S. seen as a less stable option, more international students may choose to study in countries with clearer policies and stronger protections for foreign students. This could reshape global academic networks and reduce the U.S.’s influence in international education.

Potential Diplomatic Fallout

The move is likely to further strain U.S.-China relations and could prompt retaliatory measures affecting U.S. students or institutions abroad. It also raises questions about the future of academic freedom and the role of universities in international engagement.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for International Education

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke Harvard University’s SEVP certification marks a turning point in the relationship between American higher education and the global community. Thousands of students, including the future queen of Belgium, now face urgent decisions about their academic futures. The move has triggered legal battles, diplomatic protests, and a scramble among universities worldwide to support displaced students.

For international students and their families, the most important step is to act quickly: seek guidance, explore transfer options, and stay informed through official channels. For universities and policymakers, the Harvard case is a stark reminder of the complex intersection between national security, academic freedom, and the global flow of talent.

For more information and updates, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and SEVP official websites.

Learn Today

SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program allowing U.S. schools to enroll international students on F-1 and J-1 visas.
F-1 Visa → Academic student visa permitting full-time study at SEVP-certified U.S. institutions.
J-1 Visa → Exchange visitor visa for cultural and educational programs in the U.S.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that tracks international student visa records.
XPCC → Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary organization implicated in US security concerns.

This Article in a Nutshell

On May 22, 2025, DHS terminated Harvard’s SEVP certification, preventing enrollment of international students. This creates urgent transfer challenges for 6,700+ students, sparking legal battles and diplomatic tensions amid accusations of CCP ties and campus violence increases.
— By VisaVerge.com

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