Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved Thursday to decertify Harvard University from the government’s foreign student program, meaning the school can no longer host them and any students already enrolled must try to transfer.
The decision is the latest in an escalating war of words and actions between the Trump administration and the storied school.
Ms. Noem said the decision is punishment for Harvard’s “pro-terrorist conduct.” She said that included fostering antisemitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” she said. “Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused.”
“Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” the secretary said.
Harvard called the move “unlawful.”
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably,” the school said.
Schools that host foreign students must be registered with Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Schools are supposed to follow certain rules to make sure that only legitimate students are admitted and gain entry to the U.S.
Ms. Noem said she had warned Harvard last month that its status was in danger, and she said the school “brazenly” rebuffed her inquiries.
Harvard said earlier this month that it had responded to the department’s request, but declined to say what that response was.
In its statement Thursday, Harvard called the department’s move “retaliatory” and said it “undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Harvard had about 6,800 international students in the school year that’s just ending, or about 27% of the total enrollment. That’s up dramatically from two decades ago, when they were less than 4,000 students, and less than 20% of the student body.
Ms. Noem said Harvard’s campus has become “toxic,” with more confrontations and less safety in recent years.
She cited data showing crime rates increased 55% from 2022 to 2023, and that the school still allows “pro-Hamas student groups” to retain their recognition even after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
A U.S. government task force probing antisemitism on campuses said earlier this month that Harvard not only didn’t constrain abusive behavior toward Jewish students but rewarded abusers.
In one case, the Harvard Law Review approved a $65,000 fellowship for someone who faced criminal charges for assaulting a Jewish student, the government probe said.
The school’s own review of antisemitism on campus also sustained complaints.
The Trump administration has previously moved to freeze billions of dollars in federal money that flows to the school.
Harvard sued to halt that, acknowledging concerns over antisemitism but saying denying funding for the school would cancel critical health research and scientific advancements.
Harvard said the Trump administration’s demands about hiring and the school curriculum were too burdensome.
