By The Sampadak Express
The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling new international students, citing an ongoing investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a report by The New York Times.
In a letter sent to Harvard, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the university’s authorization under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has been suspended. The letter demanded that Harvard submit certain undisclosed information within 72 hours to be considered for reinstatement before the upcoming academic year.
Noem, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.” She added, “It is a privilege, not a right, for a university to enroll foreign students,” and criticized the institution for using higher international tuition fees to “pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”
The DHS warned that the action could force current international students to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal visa status.
Harvard University responded sharply, calling the move “unlawful” and “retaliatory.” In a public statement, the university said, “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from over 140 countries and enrich our campus and country immensely.”
This development follows remarks made by President Donald Trump in April, where he labeled Harvard a “joke” and threatened to revoke its access to government research contracts unless it accepted political oversight. He also warned of banning the university from accepting foreign students.
Harvard currently hosts 788 students from India, among several hundred others from across the globe, according to its official data.
