The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification. The US DHS directed Harvard to remove all the 6800 foreign students enrolled in the university, alleging their involvement in pro-terrorism, anti-American protests, and antisemitic behaviors.
The orders from Department of Homeland Security
The US Department of Homeland Security cancelled the SEVP certification of Harvard, which means now the university can not enroll foreign students, and the current students have to leave the campus and get enrolled in other universities. If they fail to do so, they will lose their legal status and will be deported back to their countries.
The Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday revoked its status, saying that Harvard is no longer a safe status for Jewish and American students, as so many students have participated in rallies in support of terrorist organizations in other countries. Also, some foreign students create unsafe environments for Jewish students, signifying the growing anti-Semitism within the campus. The DHS has also accused Harvard of being involved with the Chinese Communist Party.
The DHS has given a 72-hour time frame to Harvard to come clean and get its student back by providing some proof (this proof could be anything: video footage, an audio recording, or a video recording) of any non-immigrant student disturbing peace on the campus in the last five years.
The statement from the DHS: “All records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding illegal activity, dangerous or violent activity, threats to other students or university personnel, whether on or off campus, and deprivation of rights of other classmates or university personnel. Proof of any protest activity involving a non-immigrant student on a Harvard University campus in the last five years.”
This statement targeted the university, stating that its foreign students are the only ones disturbing peace on the campus.
Response from Harvard
The university is concerned for its 6800 students, which is nearly a quarter of their total student enrollment. The Harvard President, Alan Garber, said that the university stands on its core principles and values. Also, the university is taking strict action in reducing and fighting antisemitism on the campus.
When asked about the allegation of involvement with the Chinese Communist Party, the university said they won’t make any comments on this.
The DHS has also cut down the 2.7 million dollar grants, which the university used to get. Currently, the university has filed a legal complaint regarding this in the court.
Foreign students of Harvard
Harvard currently has 6800 students from 100 countries enrolled under the SEVP certification program. Through this SEVP, the university provides scholarships to foreign students.
Out of the 6800, nearly 800 are Indians who are pursuing undergraduate or doctoral courses
According to the academic report 2024-25, 6800 students (about 27%) were enrolled in both of its Massachusetts and Cambridge campuses. The majority, around 40%, was constituted by Chinese, Canadian, and Indian students.
The Current scenario
Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in Boston court on Friday. In its suit, the university filed that this is a strict violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, and this could result in tragedy for about 7000 foreign students currently enrolled. It also mentioned that nearly half of the undergraduate students are foreign nationals and about one-third of its business school students will have to leave, and with these rules imposed, Harvard will not be Harvard anymore. The university also mentioned that the thousands of students who were to join the summer schools, can now no longer join the university
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