Harvard’s ability to enrol international students halted by Trump administration

ET OnlineLast Updated: May 22, 2025, 11:23:00 PM IST

Synopsis

The Trump administration took action against Harvard University. It stopped the university from enrolling international students. This move came after a dispute over records. The Department of Homeland Security was investigating. Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, sent a letter to Harvard. The letter stated that Harvard's certification was revoked.

The Trump administration on Thursday halted Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, a major escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure the college to fall in line with the president’s agenda, as per a report by The New York Times.

The administration notified Harvard about the decision after a back-and-forth in recent days over the legality of a sprawling records request as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s investigation, sources told NYT.

“I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” as per a letter sent to the university by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary. A copy of the letter was obtained by The New York Times.