In a stunning escalation of its campaign against Harvard University, the Trump administration announced on May 22, 2025, that it has revoked the university’s ability to enroll international students, affecting nearly 6,800 students—27% of its student body—and threatening a critical revenue stream for the nation’s oldest and wealthiest institution. The move, reported by The New York Times, follows months of mounting pressure on Harvard to align with President Donald Trump’s political agenda, raising alarms about academic freedom and the future of U.S. higher education. Nuzpost examines the details of this unprecedented decision, its immediate fallout, and what it means for Harvard and beyond.
A Dramatic Escalation
The Trump administration’s decision, executed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, revokes Harvard’s certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the university from hosting students on F-1 or J-1 visas starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Current international students must transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status, a move Noem justified by accusing Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party,” as reported by Reuters. The decision targets a key pillar of Harvard’s identity, where international students, particularly from China, Canada, and India, make up 40% of graduate programs like the Kennedy School.
This action follows a series of aggressive moves against Harvard, including the freezing of $3 billion in federal grants and the launch of eight investigations across six agencies, including the Departments of Justice and Education. The New York Times notes that the campaign began with a task force on campus antisemitism but has expanded into a broader effort to reshape Harvard’s admissions, curriculum, and hiring practices to align with Trump’s priorities, such as ending race-based policies and promoting “viewpoint diversity.”
Harvard’s Defiant Response
Harvard swiftly condemned the SEVP revocation as “unlawful” and retaliatory, with President Alan Garber stating, “This action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, undermining our academic and research mission.” The university, which has enrolled international students from over 140 countries, emphasized their role in enriching its intellectual and cultural fabric. Harvard has already sued the administration over frozen funding and is expected to challenge this latest move in federal court, citing violations of its First Amendment rights and overreach of federal authority under Title VI.
The decision has plunged Harvard’s international students into chaos. The New York Times reported that just minutes after a Kennedy School meeting congratulating graduating seniors, news of the ban sent shockwaves through the campus. Karl Molden, a sophomore from Vienna, told The Guardian, “Trump is cutting off international knowledge to American students, weakening America’s soft power.” Graduate programs, where 59% of Kennedy School students are international, face severe disruption, with budgets and research programs already strained by earlier funding cuts.
Political and Academic Fallout
The move has drawn sharp criticism from congressional Democrats and academics. Representative Jaime Raskin called it an “intolerable attack on Harvard’s independence and academic freedom,” per Reuters. Pippa Norris, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, told The Guardian that the ban undermines U.S. global influence by limiting access to diverse perspectives. The administration’s use of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as a bureaucratic lever—revoking Harvard’s access to the database—has been described as an unprecedented tactic, with experts questioning its legality given regulations requiring specific non-compliance reasons, not ideological ones.
The broader context reveals a pattern of targeting elite universities. The New York Times reported that six of the eight Ivy League schools face similar threats, with Columbia University recently resisting similar demands. Trump’s actions, fueled by a mix of resentment and political strategy, resonate with his base but risk alienating global academic talent. The administration’s earlier demands, outlined in an April 11, 2025 letter, included reducing student and faculty influence, enforcing merit-based admissions, and auditing international student records for “anti-American” behavior, which Harvard rejected as a threat to its autonomy.
Economic and Global Implications
The ban could cost Harvard millions, as international students often pay higher tuition, contributing significantly to its $6.5 billion endowment. Beyond finances, the move jeopardizes U.S. higher education’s global reputation, potentially driving top talent to universities in Canada, Europe, or Asia. The New York Times highlighted that the loss of international students, who make up 27.2% of Harvard
Harvard’s enrollment, could reshape its academic programs, particularly in research-heavy fields where international PhD students play a critical role. The decision also raises concerns about the U.S.’s ability to attract global talent, a cornerstone of its innovation economy.
What’s Next for Harvard?
Harvard’s legal battles with the administration are set to intensify, with potential lawsuits challenging the SEVP revocation. The university’s leadership remains defiant, with Garber emphasizing its commitment to academic freedom. However, the loss of SEVIS certification and ongoing funding cuts—totaling nearly $4 billion across multiple agencies—pose immediate challenges. The New York Times reported that some programs are already reevaluating their scope due to budget constraints.
As the academic community rallies, the ban’s ripple effects are being felt nationwide. Other universities are watching closely, fearing similar actions, especially after Noem’s threat to expand the crackdown. The Guardian quoted experts warning that the move could set a precedent for further federal overreach into private institutions.
Nuzpost will continue to monitor this developing story and its impact on Harvard and U.S. higher education.