Trump Administration Bars Harvard From Enrolling International Students

The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, escalating tensions between the government and the Ivy League institution. The administration has already frozen $2 billion in federal funding and threatened to take away Harvard's tax exempt status.

The decision comes after the university refused to comply with demands to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and other policy changes. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter demanding records on foreign student visa holders' activities, warning that failure to comply would result in losing Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

Harvard responded by asserting its constitutional rights and refusing to surrender its independence. The university president, Alan Garber, stated that the administration's actions violate Harvard's First Amendment rights. The decision has sparked concern among international students and their families, who fear the impact on their education and future opportunities. Many are considering alternative study destinations.

Noem cited Harvard's failure to turn over "pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies," in a letter to school explaining the decision to bar them from enrolling international students.

"You have lost this privilege," she added.

Foreign students currently enrolled at Harvard will have to transfer to another school to avoid losing their legal status.

The administration's move is part of a broader effort to address antisemitism and perceived biases in higher education, but critics argue that it is an overreach of federal power. The situation has led to protests and open letters from students and faculty, expressing concern over the impact on the academic community and the economy. International students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, and a decline in their enrollment could have far-reaching consequences.