Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students, says thousands must transfer

Harvard University’s authority to admit international students has been revoked by the Trump administration as part of an ongoing conflict with the prestigious institution. The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement on Thursday, claiming that Harvard has permitted “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to target Jewish students on campus, creating an unsafe environment. The administration also accused Harvard of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, alleging that it had hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024.

The decision means that Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and current foreign students must either transfer to other schools or risk losing their legal status. Harvard is home to nearly 6,800 international students, comprising over a quarter of its student body, with the majority being graduate students from more than 100 countries. The university has denounced the action as unlawful and is working to provide guidance to affected students.

The dispute originated from a request by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on April 16 for information on foreign students that could implicate them in violent activities or protests, potentially leading to deportation. Noem stated that Harvard’s failure to comply with reporting requirements led to the sanctions, which prevent the university from hosting international students for the upcoming academic year unless it provides the requested records promptly.

This move marks a new phase in the Trump administration’s clash with Harvard, which has resisted calls to restrict pro-Palestinian demonstrations and diversity initiatives. The administration’s measures include revoking federal grants and threatening to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. The administration has also cited concerns about antisemitism and ties between U.S. universities and China in its actions against Harvard.

Critics, including Ted Mitchell of the American Council on Education, have condemned the administration’s actions as overreaching and potentially damaging to America’s reputation as a destination for international students seeking education. The administration’s efforts to enforce compliance with immigration regulations have faced legal challenges, resulting in some students regaining their legal status and court injunctions limiting further terminations.

In response to the latest developments, the Trump administration’s decision to bar Harvard from enrolling international students has sparked debate.