Trump Administration Boots Harvard University’s Foreign Students

Key Takeaways

• On May 22, 2025, DHS revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification, barring new international student admissions.
• 6,800 international students and 196 international varsity athletes at Harvard face loss of legal status.
• Harvard plans emergency court action; DHS cites failure to protect Jewish students and campus violence.

On May 22, 2025, the Trump administration, acting through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), took the extraordinary step of revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This decision, announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, immediately bars Harvard from admitting new international students and puts the legal status of thousands of current students in jeopardy. The move is unprecedented in its scale and has sent shockwaves through higher education, athletics, and the global academic community.

What Happened: The Trump Administration’s Action Against Harvard

The Department of Homeland Security informed Harvard University that its SEVP certification was revoked, effective immediately. This means Harvard can no longer sponsor international students for F-1 or J-1 visas, which are the main visa categories for academic study and exchange programs in the United States 🇺🇸. The DHS justified this action by accusing Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism and allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault Jewish students on campus.

Harvard’s response was swift and strong. President Alan Garber, who is himself Jewish, called the action “unlawful” and warned that it “threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university is expected to seek an emergency injunction in federal court to block the order, but unless the courts intervene, the consequences for students, faculty, and the broader university community are immediate and severe.

Who Is Affected: Students, Athletes, and Scholars

Harvard’s international community is large and deeply integrated into campus life:

• 6,800 international students—over a quarter of Harvard’s total enrollment—are now at risk of losing their legal status in the United States 🇺🇸.
• More than 4,500 foreign scholars also work and conduct research at Harvard, some of whom may be affected by the loss of SEVP certification.
• 196 out of 919 varsity athletes (21%) have international hometowns, and many teams rely heavily on international talent.

The impact is especially severe for Harvard’s athletic programs. The university fields 42 varsity sports teams, the most in the nation. Some teams could be “virtually wiped out” if their international athletes are forced to leave.

Teams Most at Risk

• Men’s heavyweight crew: 7 of 8 rowers are international students.
• Men’s hockey: Several Canadians, including leading scorer Mick Thompson and captain Jack Bar.
• Men’s squash: 10 of 13 team members are international.
• Women’s soccer and golf: More than half of each team are international students.

Without these athletes, Harvard’s ability to compete at the national level would be severely compromised. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the loss of international students would not only hurt Harvard’s sports programs but also damage its academic and research reputation.

Why Did This Happen? The Trump Administration’s Justification

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem explained the decision by stating, “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

The Trump administration has previously targeted Harvard over similar issues, including freezing federal research funding and threatening the university’s tax-exempt status. However, revoking SEVP certification is a much more severe penalty, directly affecting students’ ability to study and live in the United States 🇺🇸.

How Does SEVP Certification Work?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is managed by the Department of Homeland Security. It allows U.S. schools to sponsor international students for F-1 (academic) and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. Schools must meet strict requirements to maintain certification, including reporting on student status and complying with federal regulations. If a school loses SEVP certification, it cannot issue the necessary immigration documents (Form I-20 for F-1 students and Form DS-2019 for J-1 exchange visitors), and its international students lose their legal basis to remain in the country.

For more information on SEVP and its requirements, visit the official DHS SEVP website.

What Happens Next for International Students?

The revocation of SEVP certification sets off a chain reaction for Harvard’s international students:

1. Notification: Students will receive formal notice from Harvard and/or DHS about their change in status.
2. Transfer or Departure: Students must either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or leave the United States 🇺🇸 to avoid violating immigration law. This process involves obtaining a new Form I-20 from the new school and following transfer procedures.
3. Legal Challenge: Harvard is expected to seek an emergency injunction in federal court. If granted, this could temporarily halt enforcement of the ban while the case is litigated.
4. Guidance: Harvard has stated it is working to provide guidance and support to affected students through its International Office.

If students do not transfer or depart promptly, they risk falling out of legal status, which can have serious consequences for future visa applications and re-entry to the United States 🇺🇸.

The Human Impact: Real-Life Scenarios

Consider the case of a sophomore from India 🇮🇳 studying computer science at Harvard. She is also a member of the women’s golf team, which relies on international players for more than half its roster. With the loss of SEVP certification, she faces a difficult choice: scramble to find another university willing to accept her transfer on short notice, or return home and abandon her studies and athletic career in the United States 🇺🇸.

Or take the example of a Canadian rower on the men’s heavyweight crew team. With 7 of 8 rowers being international students, the team’s season could be canceled, and years of training and teamwork would be lost overnight.

These stories are not unique—thousands of students and athletes now face similar uncertainty.

Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education

The Trump administration’s action against Harvard is not just about one university. It sends a clear message to all U.S. colleges and universities: failure to comply with federal expectations regarding campus safety and speech could result in the loss of the ability to host international students.

Key implications include:

• Academic and research disruption: Ongoing research projects involving international scholars may be halted, and academic collaborations could be lost.
• Financial impact: International students often pay higher tuition rates, and their loss could create significant budget shortfalls for universities.
• Chilling effect: Other universities may feel pressured to change campus policies or restrict speech to avoid similar penalties.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized the move, saying, “President Trump is punishing our students and hurting our economy, all as part of his agenda to silence anyone who disagrees with him. The only ones who benefit from Donald Trump’s actions are China 🇨🇳 and other countries who are already recruiting these students. It’s the exact opposite of America First.”

Legal and Political Reactions

Harvard’s legal team is preparing to challenge the DHS decision in federal court. The university argues that the action is retaliatory, violates the First Amendment, and lacks a rational connection between the alleged conduct and the penalty imposed.

Legal experts note that there is little precedent for revoking SEVP certification from a major university for reasons unrelated to fraud or closure. The outcome of this legal battle could set important precedents for the relationship between universities and the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration maintains that its actions are necessary to protect Jewish students and enforce federal law. Supporters argue that universities must be held accountable for campus safety and compliance with federal regulations.

What Should Affected Students Do Now?

If you are an international student at Harvard, here are the immediate steps you should take:

• Monitor official communications from Harvard and the Department of Homeland Security.
• Contact the Harvard International Office ([email protected]) for personalized guidance.
• Review your visa status and understand your options for transferring to another SEVP-certified institution.
• Consult the SEVP portal for updates and official information on maintaining your student status.
• Prepare documentation in case you need to transfer or depart the United States 🇺🇸.

If you are a coach or athlete, coordinate with your team and university officials to understand how roster changes may affect your eligibility and competition schedule.

Potential Future Developments

The situation is evolving rapidly. Key developments to watch include:

• Court decisions: If Harvard obtains an emergency injunction, the ban could be paused while the case is litigated.
• Federal escalation: The Trump administration has previously threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status and access to federal financial aid. Further actions are possible.
• Impact on other universities: The move may prompt other institutions to review their own policies and compliance with federal expectations.

Summary Table: Key Data

Official Contacts and Resources

• Harvard University Media Relations: [email protected]
• Department of Homeland Security (SEVP): [email protected]
• Harvard International Office: [email protected]

For the latest updates, students and scholars should check Harvard’s official website and the DHS SEVP portal.

Conclusion: What This Means for the Future

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard University’s SEVP certification is a turning point for U.S. higher education and immigration policy. It places thousands of students and scholars in immediate jeopardy, threatens the future of athletic programs, and raises serious questions about academic freedom and the role of universities in American society.

As legal battles unfold and universities across the country assess their own risks, the message from Washington is clear: compliance with federal expectations is now tied directly to the ability to host international students. For Harvard’s international community, the coming weeks will be filled with uncertainty, legal maneuvering, and difficult choices.

Affected students should act quickly to understand their options, seek guidance from university officials, and stay informed about legal developments. The outcome of this case will not only determine the future of Harvard’s international programs but could reshape the landscape of global education in the United States 🇺🇸 for years to come.

Learn Today

SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program allowing universities to enroll international F-1 and J-1 visa students.
F-1 visa → Non-immigrant visa for academic students studying full-time in the United States.
J-1 visa → Exchange visitor visa for students and scholars participating in approved programs.
I-20 Form → Certificate of eligibility issued by schools to support F-1 student visa applications.
Injunction → A court order that temporarily stops enforcement of a legal action or decision.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump administration revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification on May 22, 2025, disrupting thousands of international students’ legal status and threatening varsity teams. Harvard condemns the action and seeks legal recourse. This unprecedented step highlights growing tensions over campus safety, academic freedom, and federal immigration enforcement policies in the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Georgetown scholar details harsh realities of immigration detention
• Republican NJ governor candidates clash over immigration in key debate
• Immigration policies prompt new fears of racial profiling with 287(g)
• UK proposes sweeping Immigration System changes in new white paper
• Huntsville grand jury indicts eight for federal immigration crimes