Key Takeaways
• Harvard’s SEVP certification revoked May 22, 2025, halting new international student enrollment.
• Nearly 6,800 international students at Harvard face forced transfers or legal status loss.
• Trump administration cites non-compliance and security concerns for Harvard’s SEVP removal.
As of May 23, 2025, the Trump administration has taken the unprecedented step of revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This decision, announced by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, immediately impacts thousands of students and has sent shockwaves through the higher education community in the United States 🇺🇸. The move raises urgent questions about the future of international students at Harvard and whether other top U.S. universities could soon face similar bans.
What Happened: Harvard’s SEVP Certification Revoked
Who: Harvard University, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions
What: Lost its SEVP certification, which allows it to enroll international students
When: Announced May 22, 2025, effective from the 2025–26 academic year
Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States 🇺🇸
Why: DHS cited Harvard’s refusal to comply with federal demands for records related to international students, as well as allegations of promoting an unsafe campus environment and pro-Hamas sympathies
How: The Department of Homeland Security exercised its authority to revoke SEVP certification for non-compliance
This decision means Harvard can no longer accept new international students, and those currently enrolled must transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or risk losing their legal immigration status.
Immediate Impact on International Students
Harvard’s international student community is among the largest in the country. According to university data, nearly 6,800 international students are currently enrolled, making up about 27% of the student body. These students come from all over the world, contributing to Harvard’s academic excellence and cultural diversity.
Key consequences for students:
– Loss of legal status: Without SEVP certification, Harvard’s international students cannot legally remain in the U.S. on their student visas.
– Forced transfers: Students must quickly find and transfer to another SEVP-certified university to maintain their status.
– Uncertainty and anxiety: Many students are now facing sudden disruption to their studies, research, and personal lives.
For those participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT—programs that allow international graduates to work in the U.S. after completing their degrees—the impact is especially severe. In 2024, Harvard sponsored 1,856 OPT and 576 STEM OPT participants. These students now face the risk of losing their work authorization if they cannot transfer their SEVIS records to another institution.
Why Did the Government Take This Step?
The Trump administration’s decision is rooted in several factors:
- Non-compliance with federal demands: DHS claims Harvard refused to provide certain records related to its international students.
- Allegations of unsafe environment: Officials allege that Harvard promoted an unsafe campus environment and tolerated pro-Hamas sympathies.
- National security concerns: The administration argues that stricter oversight of international students is necessary to protect U.S. interests.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right. Harvard must comply with federal demands to regain SEVP certification.” U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon went further, accusing Harvard of enrolling students who “show contempt for the U.S.” and of “fueling antisemitism.”
How the SEVP Certification Process Works
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a federal program managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It certifies schools to enroll international students on F and M visas. To maintain certification, schools must:
- Comply with federal regulations regarding student records, reporting, and campus safety
- Cooperate with DHS and ICE in providing requested information
- Maintain accurate SEVIS records (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
If a school fails to meet these requirements, DHS can revoke its SEVP certification. The official SEVP website provides detailed information on certification requirements: www.ice.gov/sevp.
What Must Harvard’s International Students Do Now?
For students currently enrolled at Harvard, the path forward is complicated and stressful. Here’s what they need to know:
1. Transfer to Another SEVP-Certified School
- Apply to a new institution: Students must be accepted by another SEVP-certified university.
- Transfer SEVIS records: Once accepted, students must work with both Harvard and the new school to transfer their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records.
- Maintain status: The transfer must be completed before the student’s current status expires to avoid falling out of legal status.
2. Seek Legal Advice
- Consult immigration attorneys: The situation is complex, and legal guidance is essential to avoid mistakes that could lead to deportation or future visa problems.
3. Monitor Official Updates
- Stay informed: Students should regularly check updates from DHS, SEVP, and their new institutions for any changes or deadlines.
4. Consider OPT/STEM OPT Implications
- Work authorization: Students on OPT or STEM OPT must ensure their new school can sponsor their work authorization and update their records promptly.
The Broader Impact: Are Other Universities at Risk?
Harvard’s situation is not isolated. Other elite universities—including MIT, Columbia, Yale, and Stanford—are reportedly reviewing their compliance procedures, fearing they could be next. Legal scholars warn that the precedent set by the Harvard case could open the door to similar actions against other institutions.
Key points for other universities:
– Increased scrutiny: Schools are under pressure to ensure full compliance with SEVP regulations.
– Financial risks: International students often pay higher tuition, and their loss could significantly affect university finances.
– Academic freedom concerns: University leaders argue that federal intervention threatens the independence and integrity of higher education.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the loss of international students could have a ripple effect across the U.S. higher education system, reducing diversity, research output, and global competitiveness.
New ICE Policy: More Power to Revoke Student Status
In addition to the Harvard decision, the Trump administration has proposed a new policy that would give ICE broader authority to terminate students’ legal residency status. Under this policy:
- ICE could revoke student visas based on “evidence of failure to comply” with visa terms, or even without clear evidence of a violation.
- The policy is not yet finalized but has been presented in court filings.
Immigration attorneys warn that this could lead to arbitrary deportations and increased fear among international students, who may self-censor or avoid public discourse to avoid drawing attention.
Multiple Perspectives: Security vs. Academic Freedom
The debate over international students in the U.S. is deeply polarized.
Conservative Viewpoint
- National security: Supporters argue that stricter controls are necessary to prevent misuse of student visas and protect against foreign influence.
- Preventing protests: Some believe that international students should not be allowed to participate in protests or activities seen as hostile to U.S. interests.
University Perspective
- Academic freedom: University leaders, including Harvard President Alan Garber, argue that these actions threaten the core values of higher education.
- Global reputation: The U.S. risks losing its status as a top destination for the world’s best and brightest students.
President Garber acknowledged a “kernel of truth” to some government claims but emphasized the broader threat to academic independence.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Increased Scrutiny
The Trump administration’s actions against Harvard are part of a broader trend of tightening rules for international students. During President Trump’s first term, visa restrictions and travel bans led to a 12% drop in new international enrollments. The current move is seen as an escalation, targeting even the most prestigious institutions.
What Happens Next? Legal and Practical Outlook
Legal Challenges
Harvard is expected to challenge the SEVP revocation in court, arguing that the decision is arbitrary and threatens academic freedom. The outcome of these legal battles could set important precedents for other universities.
Potential Expansion
If the administration’s actions are upheld, other universities could face similar scrutiny. This could lead to a broader decline in international student enrollment across the U.S., affecting not only universities but also local economies and the country’s global standing.
Student Decisions
International students now face difficult choices:
– Transfer to another U.S. university
– Return to their home country
– Seek opportunities in other countries such as Canada 🇨🇦, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, or Australia 🇦🇺, which may be seen as more welcoming
Step-by-Step: What to Do if Your University Loses SEVP Certification
If you are an international student at a university that loses SEVP certification, here’s what you should do:
- Contact your school’s international student office immediately.
- Apply to other SEVP-certified schools as soon as possible.
- Request a transfer of your SEVIS record to your new school. The official SEVIS transfer process is explained here: SEVIS Transfer Procedures.
- Keep all documentation related to your visa status, applications, and communications.
- Consult with an immigration attorney for personalized advice.
- Monitor deadlines to ensure you do not fall out of status.
Real-Life Example: Affected Student Scenario
Consider the case of Maria, a graduate student from Brazil studying at Harvard. She is currently on an F-1 visa and participating in a research project. With the SEVP revocation, Maria must quickly apply to another university, secure acceptance, and transfer her SEVIS record. If she cannot complete this process before her status expires, she risks deportation and losing years of academic work.
Resources for Affected Students
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): www.dhs.gov
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): www.ice.gov/sevp
- Harvard University: www.harvard.edu
- VisaVerge.com: For ongoing analysis and updates on U.S. immigration policy
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Harvard University’s loss of SEVP certification is a major development with immediate consequences for nearly 7,000 international students.
- Other top U.S. universities are at risk of similar actions if they do not comply with federal demands.
- International students must act quickly to transfer and maintain their legal status.
- The Trump administration’s new policies signal a tougher stance on international student visas, with broader implications for U.S. higher education.
- Legal challenges are expected, and the outcome will shape the future for international students and universities across the country.
For the latest updates and official guidance, students and university staff should regularly check the SEVP website and consult with qualified immigration professionals.
Staying informed, acting quickly, and seeking expert advice are the best ways for international students to protect their status and continue their academic journeys in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program certifying schools to enroll international students on F and M visas.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System tracking international students’ visa and enrollment status.
OPT → Optional Practical Training allowing international graduates to work in the U.S. after studies.
STEM OPT → Extended OPT for graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
DHS → Department of Homeland Security overseeing immigration enforcement and student visa programs.
This Article in a Nutshell
On May 22, 2025, Harvard lost its SEVP certification, forcing thousands of international students to transfer or face visa loss. The Trump administration highlights security failures, shaking U.S. higher education and marking a pivotal immigration policy shift affecting top universities nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• SEVP Portal and OPT: A Guide to International Students’ Work Authorization
• Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Foreign Student Ban
• Trump Administration Boots Harvard University’s Foreign Students
• Harvard University foreign student ban disrupts Indian alumni network
• Harvard University Banned From Enrolling Foreign Students
