Harvard YardPhoto: WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Trump administration has revoked Harvard's ability to enroll international students, amid a growing conflict between the school and the White House.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday ordered DHS to terminate Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
Not only does that termination block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, it also means existing foreign students must transfer from the school or lose their legal status.
Harvard responded in a statement:
“The government’s action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably. We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Thursday's termination comes one month after Noem demanded Harvard turn over records of its students' "illegal and violent activities" by April 30 or face the loss of its SEVP certification.
Harvard said 27.2% of its student body in the 2024-25 academic year is made up of international students.
WBZ NewsRadio's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.