‘Unlawful, retaliatory’: Harvard on Trump admin’s move to revoke its eligibility to enrol international students

“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars," said a spokesperson for the university.

By: Express Web Desk
May 23, 2025 11:01 AM IST

3 min read

Harvard’s ties to China span decades and include research partnerships, China-focused academic centres, and significant financial contributions. (AP Photo)

Harvard University has condemned the Trump administration’s decision to bar it from enrolling international students as “unlawful” and “retaliatory.” The move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has drawn sharp criticism from the university, which has vowed to pursue all avenues to protect its international community.

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the administration’s accusations. “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,” he said.

Newton described the DHS directive as a retaliatory measure that “threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”

Homeland Security’s stance

On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L Noem announced that Harvard’s certification to admit international students had been revoked, effective immediately. The decision requires the university’s 6,793 foreign students to either transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal immigration status.

Secretary Noem accused Harvard of obstructing national security. “The university knowingly allowed anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, and obstruct its once-venerable learning environment,” she said.

“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” Noem posted on X. “Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused,” she added.

Noem further claimed Harvard had hosted and trained members of China’s paramilitary forces, although no public evidence has been provided to support the assertion. The university has been given 72 hours to turn over disciplinary and digital records, including video and audio footage, related to protest activity involving international students.

Also Read: | Harvard, visas and the White House: How Trump administration’s move will affect international students

The university has already endured more than $2.7 billion in federal funding freezes under Trump’s second term and is currently a part of ongoing legal disputes with the White House over what it claims is politically motivated interference in its governance.

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