Washington: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stern warning to Harvard University, threatening to revoke its authorization to enroll international students unless the institution complies with federal demands. These include allowing political oversight and disclosing detailed records on foreign students, particularly those allegedly involved in anti-Israel protests.
In a strongly worded letter sent Wednesday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of harboring students engaged in what she described as "illegal and violent activities" and warned that failure to comply by April 30 would result in the immediate loss of its Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification.
Noem’s letter requested that Harvard provide comprehensive information on any foreign students who may have threatened others, disrupted the campus environment, or faced disciplinary action due to protests. The letter also criticized Harvard for allegedly fostering a “hostile environment” for Jewish students and declared that enrolling international students is a “privilege, not a right.”
In addition to the threat against SEVP certification, Noem announced the cancellation of over $2.7 million in federal grants to Harvard, citing the university’s unwillingness to align with what she called core American values. “Harvard has allowed anti-Semitic extremism to flourish, threatening our national security,” she stated.
This move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader campaign against perceived pro-Palestinian activism in U.S. academia. Several other elite institutions, including Columbia, Princeton, Brown, and Cornell, have already faced funding cuts or freezes. The administration has also reportedly initiated steps to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status, with the IRS said to be reviewing the matter.
Harvard responded by reaffirming its refusal to hand control over its governance to the federal government. A university spokesperson reiterated that there is no legal justification for removing its tax-exempt status and warned that such a move could severely impact student financial aid and vital research programs.
Civil liberties groups have condemned the administration’s actions, calling them an attack on free speech and academic independence.
