Harvard Risks Losing Right to Enroll International Students Amid
- Yewon Choi
- Apr 17, 2025
- 1 min read
April 17 2025
By Yewon Choi
The Trump administration has issued a warning to Harvard University, stating it may revoke the school's authority to enroll international students if it does not comply with recent federal demands. This move comes after Harvard refused to adopt changes to its hiring, admissions, and academic policies, which the White House claims are necessary to combat antisemitism on campus.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter requesting detailed records related to alleged unlawful and violent behavior by foreign students at Harvard. The university was given a deadline of April 30 to respond. In addition to this threat, two grants totaling $2.7 million from the Department of Homeland Security have already been terminated.
Harvard President Alan Garber pushed back strongly, declaring that the university would not compromise its independence or constitutional rights. He criticized the government’s list of demands as an overreach that undermines both academic freedom and legal protections granted to private institutions.
The administration's actions have sparked widespread criticism, with major universities like Stanford and Princeton expressing solidarity with Harvard. Former President Barack Obama also voiced support, applauding Harvard's refusal to comply with what he described as an unlawful attempt to interfere with higher education.
