US Government Intensifies Dispute Over Harvard’s International Student Data

Key Takeaways

• DHS terminated Harvard’s SEVP certification in May 2025, blocking new international student enrollments.
• ICE subpoenaed Harvard in July 2025 for records on foreign student misconduct since January 2020.
• Over 7,000 current international students must transfer or risk losing U.S. legal status.

The United States 🇺🇸 government has taken extraordinary steps against Harvard University, demanding detailed international student data and raising campus security concerns. In a series of actions from May to July 2025, federal agencies have targeted Harvard’s handling of foreign student records, leading to major consequences for the university and its international community.

Federal Crackdown on Harvard’s International Student Data

On July 9, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued subpoenas to Harvard University. These subpoenas demand “records, communications, and other documents relevant to the enforcement of immigration laws since January 1, 2020.” This move follows months of tension, as Harvard repeatedly refused earlier requests for information about its international students.

In May 2025, DHS, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, took the rare step of terminating Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This action bars Harvard from enrolling new foreign students and forces current international students to transfer or risk losing their legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. The situation escalated further on June 4, 2025, when President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation suspending the entry of new Harvard students under F, M, or J visas. The proclamation also directed the Secretary of State to review and possibly revoke existing visas for current Harvard students who meet certain criteria.

Key Stakeholders and Their Positions

Federal officials have made strong statements about the reasons for these actions:

• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).” She said Harvard’s refusal to comply with federal requests led directly to the SEVP termination.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Harvard for allowing “antisemitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked.” She called on Harvard’s accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher Education, to enforce its policies.
• DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed Harvard “allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus,” justifying the escalation to subpoenas.
• President Donald J. Trump stressed the need for foreign students to “love our country” and said Harvard failed to provide needed information about potentially radicalized students.
• Harvard University described the DHS subpoenas as “unwarranted” but stated it “will continue to cooperate with lawful requests and obligations.” The university has pushed back against the administration’s characterizations and actions.

Background: How the Dispute Began

The conflict began to intensify in April 2025, when DHS demanded that Harvard provide detailed information about the “criminality and misconduct of foreign students.” Harvard’s refusal led to warnings that noncompliance would result in SEVP termination.

Federal officials have pointed to several concerns:

• Campus Crime: Officials claim a 55% rise in crime rates at Harvard from 2022 to 2023, with aggravated assaults up 195% and robberies up 460%.
• Foreign Influence: Harvard is accused of collaborating with the CCP, including hosting and training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a group linked to human rights abuses.
• Foreign Funding: Claims state that Harvard accepted $151 million from foreign governments since January 2020 and engaged in research partnerships with entities tied to foreign militaries.
• DEI Policies: Ongoing disputes over Harvard’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which federal officials argue violate civil rights law and Supreme Court rulings.

Immediate Impact on International Students

The most direct impact falls on over 7,000 international students at Harvard. With SEVP certification terminated, Harvard cannot enroll new foreign students. Current international students must transfer to other SEVP-certified schools or risk losing their legal status and facing deportation. The State Department is also reviewing the visa status of current Harvard students for possible revocation under the June 2025 Presidential Proclamation.

What Is SEVP and Why Does It Matter?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a federal program that allows U.S. schools to enroll international students. Schools must be certified by SEVP to issue the Form I-20, which students need to apply for F or M visas. Without SEVP certification, a school cannot legally host international students. You can learn more about SEVP and its requirements on the official ICE SEVP website.

Harvard’s Response and the Academic Community’s Concerns

Harvard has called the federal actions “unwarranted” and says it will cooperate with lawful requests. The university argues that the measures threaten academic freedom, international collaboration, and the global reputation of U.S. higher education. Many in the academic community believe the actions are politically motivated and risk harming innocent students and researchers.

Legal analysts point out that terminating SEVP certification and suspending visas for a major university like Harvard is unprecedented. They expect lengthy legal battles over whether the federal government’s actions are justified.

Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education

The federal government has warned other universities to “take note of Harvard’s actions, and the repercussions, when considering whether or not to comply with similar requests.” This signals that similar enforcement could happen at other schools. The case could set a precedent for how the government oversees international student programs across the country.

Universities rely on international students for their academic and cultural contributions, as well as for tuition revenue. If more schools face similar actions, it could hurt the United States 🇺🇸’s ability to attract top talent from around the world.

Procedural Details and Next Steps

Several important steps are now underway:

1. Subpoena Compliance: Harvard is legally required to provide the requested records to ICE. If it fails to comply, the university could face further legal action or penalties.
2. Accreditation Review: The New England Commission of Higher Education is under pressure from the Department of Education to investigate Harvard for alleged policy violations. The outcome could affect Harvard’s federal funding and academic standing.
3. Student Transfers: International students at Harvard must seek transfer to other SEVP-certified institutions to keep their legal status, unless Harvard’s SEVP certification is restored.
4. Visa Revocations: The State Department is reviewing the status of current Harvard international students for possible visa revocation under the June 2025 Presidential Proclamation.

Official Resources for Affected Students

Students affected by these changes can get immediate help from Harvard’s International Office and the SEVP Response Center. These offices can provide guidance on transferring to other schools, maintaining visa status, and understanding the latest developments.

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
• Harvard University International Office
• New England Commission of Higher Education

Summary Table: Key Actions and Dates

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

Federal officials argue that national security and campus safety require strict oversight of universities enrolling foreign students, especially when there are concerns about ties to hostile foreign actors or campus unrest. They believe that Harvard’s actions justified the strong response.

On the other hand, Harvard and many in the academic community warn that these actions could damage academic freedom and international cooperation. They say the measures are too broad and risk punishing innocent students and researchers who have done nothing wrong.

Legal experts note that the government’s steps are legally and procedurally unprecedented for a university of Harvard’s size and reputation. They expect Harvard to challenge the SEVP termination and subpoenas in court, seeking to block or reverse the administration’s actions.

International Student Data and Its Importance

International student data is at the heart of this dispute. The government wants detailed records to check for criminality, misconduct, and possible national security risks. Harvard, like many universities, collects and manages large amounts of data about its students, including those from other countries. The way this data is handled can affect not only the students themselves but also the university’s ability to host international scholars and researchers.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the handling of international student data has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over campus safety, academic freedom, and the role of universities in national security. The outcome of the Harvard case could shape how all U.S. universities manage and share international student data in the future.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

Looking ahead, several key developments are expected:

• Legal Challenges: Harvard is likely to challenge the SEVP termination and subpoenas in court. The university may seek injunctions to stop the government’s actions while the legal process plays out.
• Accreditation Risk: The review by the New England Commission of Higher Education could have long-term effects on Harvard’s federal funding and academic reputation.
• Policy Precedent: The case will likely set a precedent for federal oversight of international student programs at other U.S. universities. Other schools are watching closely to see what happens next.

What Should International Students Do Now?

If you are an international student at Harvard, here are some steps you can take:

• Contact Harvard’s International Office for the latest updates and guidance on your status.
• Monitor official SEVP communications for information on transferring to another school or maintaining your visa.
• Keep your immigration documents up to date and be ready to provide information if requested by authorities.
• Seek legal advice if you are unsure about your rights or options.

Broader Impact on U.S. Higher Education

The actions against Harvard have sent shockwaves through the higher education sector. Universities across the United States 🇺🇸 are reviewing their own policies and procedures for handling international student data and responding to government requests. Many are concerned that similar enforcement could happen elsewhere, affecting thousands of students and the country’s reputation as a top destination for global talent.

Conclusion

As of July 10, 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 government’s actions against Harvard University over international student data mark an unprecedented escalation in federal oversight of higher education. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal, administrative, and policy developments expected in the coming weeks and months. The outcome will have far-reaching consequences for Harvard, its international students, and the broader academic community.

For more information on SEVP and how it affects international students, visit the official ICE SEVP website. If you are affected, reach out to your school’s international office and stay informed about your rights and responsibilities.

This case highlights the growing importance of international student data, campus security, and the balance between national security and academic freedom. As the story unfolds, students, universities, and policymakers will need to work together to find solutions that protect both safety and the values of higher education.

Learn Today

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) → Federal program certifying schools to enroll international students and issue I-20 forms.
Subpoena → A legal order compelling an entity to provide documents or testimony to authorities.
F, M, J visas → Non-immigrant visas issued for academic study or exchange visitor programs in the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → U.S. federal agency enforcing immigration laws and investigating compliance.
Accreditation → Official recognition ensuring a university meets set educational standards and policies.

This Article in a Nutshell

The U.S. government’s actions against Harvard over international student data highlight national security concerns. SEVP certification termination bars new enrollments, and subpoenas demand student records since 2020. This unprecedented move impacts thousands of students and may reshape future university compliance with immigration laws and data transparency requirements.
— By VisaVerge.com