WASHINGTON, D.C. (LOOTPRESS) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University’s certification to host international students, citing the university’s failure to comply with federal requests and ongoing campus unrest.
The decision, confirmed by Fox News Digital, prevents Harvard from enrolling foreign students in the 2025–2026 academic year. Current international students must transfer to another institution or risk losing their legal status in the United States.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the move stems from Harvard’s alleged refusal to provide disciplinary and protest-related records for student visa holders. In a letter addressed to Harvard’s director of immigration services, Noem accused the university of ignoring repeated federal requests and fostering an environment she described as hostile and unsafe.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students.”
Noem stated that Harvard was given 72 hours to comply with DHS requests before the certification was officially revoked. She added that the university’s response was “insufficient, incomplete, and unacceptable.”
Harvard has pushed back against the move, calling the action “unlawful” and warning of its potential impact on both the university and the country.
“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,” said Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton. “This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The DHS requested records including footage of protest activities involving student visa holders and disciplinary histories dating back five years. According to Noem, these requests were tied to concerns about safety and compliance amid rising tensions on college campuses.
The crackdown follows a series of pro-Palestinian protests across U.S. universities in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. At least a dozen Harvard students reportedly had their visas revoked in connection with protest activity.
The Trump administration has also frozen nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard and launched investigations across multiple federal departments. Officials say the university has failed to address antisemitism and eliminate controversial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress this week that the State Department has likely revoked “thousands” of student visas nationwide and signaled that more revocations are likely.
“A visa is a privilege, not a right,” Rubio said. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.”
Harvard has not yet issued a formal comment beyond its initial statement.
