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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would subpoena Harvard University for “relevant information” on international students.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a press release that Harvard has repeatedly rejected requests for information on its Student and Visitor and Exchange Program certification.
“We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs. “Harvard, like other universities, has allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus. If Harvard won’t defend the interests of its students, then we will.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in April demanded Harvard send information on criminal activity and misconduct of international students. DHS moved to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll international students in May, arguing Harvard did not sufficiently comply with the request. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs later blocked the move.
In response to Wednesday’s subpoenas, a Harvard spokesperson said in a statement the university “is committed to following the law, and while the government’s subpoenas are unwarranted, the university will continue to cooperate with lawful requests and obligations.”
“The administration’s ongoing retaliatory actions come as Harvard continues to defend itself and its students, faculty, and staff against harmful government overreach aimed at dictating whom private universities can admit and hire, and what they can teach. Harvard remains unwavering in its efforts to protect its community and its core principles against unfounded retribution by the federal government,” the statement continued.
Last week, the Trump administration threatened to cut all federal funding to Harvard after the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services found the school in “violent violation” of the Civil Rights Act regarding antisemitism on campus.
Harvard responded in a statement that the school has taken “substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism in its community.”
The Trump administration has also frozen billions of dollars of grants and contracts to the school.