Trump pulls plug on Harvard foreign student program, says Ivy League welcome is over

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's certification to enroll foreign students, placing the future of thousands of international scholars in jeopardy and drawing sharp criticism from both the university and China.

The decision, announced Thursday, could deal a major blow to the Ivy League institution, which relies heavily on international students for tuition revenue and academic collaboration.

"Effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a letter addressed to the university. SEVIS is the system through which foreign nationals are authorized to study in the United States.

"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem added in a separate statement.

China, which accounts for more than one-fifth of Harvard’s international student body, criticized the move. "The Chinese side has consistently opposed the politicization of educational cooperation," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. She added that the decision will "only harm the image and international standing of the United States."

Harvard quickly pushed back against the revocation, calling it "unlawful" and warning that it could significantly harm the university community.

"We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars," the school said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."

The action follows a series of attacks by Donald Trump on the university, which he accused of rejecting oversight of its hiring and admissions practices. He has claimed the school fosters a liberal ideology and described it as a hub of antisemitism.

Trump has previously threatened to end foreign student enrollment at Harvard unless it agreed to political supervision. "As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students," Noem wrote. "All universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting requirements under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations, to maintain this privilege."

Harvard faculty have also denounced the administration’s actions. The Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors called the decision "the latest in a string of nakedly authoritarian and retaliatory moves against America's oldest institution of higher education."

"The Trump administration is unlawfully seeking to destroy higher education in the United States. It now demands that we sacrifice our international students in the process. Universities cannot acquiesce to such extortion," the group said.

A federal judge intervened Thursday, issuing a nationwide injunction to stop any terminations of international students' legal status. Judge Jeffrey White said US officials had "wreaked havoc" on people's lives and that the ruling would provide "stability" for students to continue their studies. It was not immediately clear how the injunction would apply specifically to Harvard students.

The move follows recent government action against universities where students have protested against Israel over the war in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the administration has revoked "thousands" of visas under a law that allows the removal of individuals deemed contrary to US foreign policy interests.