The Trump administration is turning up the heat on Harvard University, threatening to take away its ability to host international students after the school refused to follow several federal demands.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, sent Harvard a tough letter accusing the university of allowing a “hostile environment” for Jewish students.
The letter demands detailed records of international students’ alleged involvement in illegal or violent activity—especially during campus protests—and gives Harvard until April 30, 2025 to respond.
If the university fails to comply, it could lose its SEVP certification, which is required for schools to enroll international students on F-1 or M-1 visas.
Harvard currently has over 6,700 international students, making up 27% of its student body. Losing this certification could mean many of them would have to leave.
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This is the latest move in a growing conflict between the White House and elite universities. Earlier this week, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and canceled $2.7 million in violence prevention grants, accusing the school of political bias and unfair treatment of conservatives.
Officials are also pressuring Harvard to ban DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, eliminate mask use at protests, adopt merit-based hiring and admissions, and limit activist faculty influence.
Harvard, for its part, says it stands by its principles and will not “surrender its independence.” A spokesperson said the university will follow the law and expects the government to do the same.
Meanwhile, the IRS is reportedly planning to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, further escalating the standoff.
The administration says it’s acting to fight antisemitism and illegal behavior on campus. But critics argue this is part of a broader push to control what happens in American universities.
With the deadline fast approaching, the future of thousands of Harvard students—and the broader academic freedom debate—is hanging in the balance.
