Harvard can't enroll international students; Trump administration says it's a privilege, not a right

The Donald Trump administration Thursday barred Harvard University from taking international students, calling it a privilege to take foreign students and employ non-immigrants on campus. A hard-hitting letter was sent to the university by the Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, who said that the action should not surprise the university authorities as it was inevitable, as the university failed to comply with the demands of the administration.

"Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students, that the Trump Administration will enforce the law and root out the evils of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses," the letter said.

This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.

It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025

Noem said if Harvard wants to continue enrolling foreign students, the university will have to comply with the Trumpa administration within 72 hours.

Harvard barred from Students' and Exchange Visitor program: What does that mean?

It means that Harvard can't have any foreign students in F or J non-immigrant status for the 2025-2026 academic year. "This decertification also means that existing aliens on F- or J-nonimmigrant status must transfer to another university in order to maintain their nonimmigrant status," the letter said.

72-hour ultimatum to comply: What did the Trump administration seek from the university?

The administration sought records of any audio or video footage regarding any illegal/violent activity on or off the campus by a non-immigrant student. An informal record will also do.

Record of any threat to other students or university personnel on or off campus by a non-immigrant student in the last five years.

Any record of deprivation of rights of other classmates or university personnel by nonimmigrant students.

All disciplinary records of non-immigrant students, footage of any protest activity.

All these records pertain to non-immigrant students in the last five years.

Kristi Noem mentioned in her letter that her department would revoke Harvard's 'privilege' to enroll foreign students if the university provides full and complete responses.