Suspension of Funding and Revocation of International Student Enrollment
Secretary of Homeland Security: "Similar Measures for Other Universities"
Crackdown on Universities over Anti-Semitism and Progressive Tendencies
The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly notified Harvard University, the nation's most prestigious institution, that it is revoking its eligibility to enroll international students. The administration also hinted at the possibility of expanding this measure to other universities. President Trump, who has waged a campaign against elite private universities since the beginning of his second term, citing anti-Semitism and progressive tendencies on U.S. campuses, has escalated the pressure by not only suspending federal funding but now also banning the enrollment of international students.
On May 22 (local time), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement explaining the background of this decision, saying, "Harvard's leadership has created a dangerous campus environment by allowing anti-American and terror-supporting agitators to harass and physically attack individuals, particularly many Jewish students," and "Harvard has undermined what was once an excellent learning environment."
With the Trump administration revoking Harvard's approval for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the university can no longer accept international students. Universities must have SEVP certification in order to issue the I-20 certificate required for international students to obtain U.S. government visa approval. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security had warned Harvard that it would cancel its foreign student visa program unless the university submitted a record of violent and illegal acts committed by international students by April.
As a result of this measure, current international students enrolled at Harvard will have to transfer to other schools. If they do not, they will lose their legal status to stay in the United States. Consequently, nearly 7,000 international students at Harvard now face the risk of deportation from the U.S. in the worst-case scenario. According to Harvard, there are 6,800 international students, accounting for 27% of the total student body.
The Trump administration has stated that it could apply the revocation of international student enrollment eligibility to other universities, such as Columbia University. In an interview with Fox News, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was asked whether similar measures were being considered for other universities. She responded, "Absolutely," adding, "This should serve as a warning to all other universities to correct their actions."
This has led to criticism that President Trump's efforts to "discipline" universities in his ongoing "ideological war" with major private institutions have gone too far. President Trump has suspended federal funding at the government level, criticizing the spread of anti-Semitism, which became prominent following last year's pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses, as well as the adoption of progressive policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). When Harvard previously refused to comply with government demands, the Trump administration froze federal grants and contracts and even hinted at revoking the university's tax-exempt status. Now, with this latest measure, the administration has stripped Harvard of its eligibility to enroll international students.
In response, Harvard stated, "The Department of Homeland Security's move to block international students is illegal," and emphasized, "The university is fully committed to maintaining its capacity to accept international students and scholars from more than 140 countries."
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