In a significant escalation of its ongoing conflict with elite academic institutions, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the university from enrolling international students for the upcoming academic year. This decision impacts approximately 6,800 international students, who constitute about 27% of Harvard's student body .

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, cited Harvard's alleged non-compliance with federal demands as the primary reason for this action. Specifically, the administration accused Harvard of failing to provide detailed records on foreign student visa holders' activities, including any involvement in protests or other actions deemed "illegal and violent" . Additionally, the university faced criticism for purportedly fostering a campus environment hostile to Jewish students and for alleged ties to Chinese entities, raising national security concerns .

In response, Harvard has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that the demands infringe upon its institutional autonomy and academic freedom. The university emphasized its commitment to legal compliance while defending its right to self-governance . Harvard has also initiated legal action to challenge the revocation of its SEVP certification and the freezing of over $2 billion in federal funding .New York Post

The international community has expressed concern over the implications of this decision. China, which accounts for a significant portion of Harvard's international students, criticized the move as politicizing educational exchanges and pledged to support affected students . Similarly, Indian authorities are assessing the impact on their nationals enrolled at Harvard.

This development is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to scrutinize and, in some cases, penalize academic institutions perceived as promoting ideologies contrary to its policies. The administration's actions have sparked a nationwide debate on the balance between national security, academic freedom, and the role of higher education in society.