Harvard University has lost its federal authorisation to enrol international students for the 2025–2026 academic year, following a directive from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS, under Secretary Kristi Noem, revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification in a letter dated 22 May. The university now has just 72 hours to comply with six federal demands to regain its eligibility.
The decision, made under the Trump administration, affects both current and prospective foreign students under F-1 and J-1 visa categories. This includes nearly 800 Indian students and scholars currently enrolled at the institution.
“The revocation of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means that Harvard is prohibited from having any aliens on F- or J- nonimmigrant status for the 2025–2026 academic school 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,” Noem wrote.
Also Read: US bans Harvard from admitting foreign students: What it means for nearly the 7,000 already on campus
Six strict demands, 72-hour countdown
Harvard’s only route to restoring its SEVP status before the new academic year hinges on fulfilling six federal requirements. These include:
“Please be advised that providing materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent information may subject you to criminal prosecution... Other criminal and civil sanctions may also apply,” Noem warned.
Also Read: What happens to 788 Indian students in Harvard University after Trump cracks down on Ivy League school
Indian students and global scholars caught in limbo
The fallout is especially serious for Harvard’s foreign student body, which numbers over 10,000 across all schools. Among them are 788 students and scholars from India enrolled for the 2024–25 academic year. Harvard’s own data shows between 500 to 800 Indian students study at the institution each year.
Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to President Biden on the AANHPI Commission, condemned the move.
“This policy directly threatens over 500 Indian students at Harvard, forcing them to transfer or leave the US before the next academic year begins,” he told PTI.
“These students, who represent the brightest minds from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, have invested their dreams, finances and futures in a Harvard education—only to have their aspirations shattered by a politically motivated attack.”
Also Read: Harvard’s ability to enrol international students halted by Trump administration
“Unsafe environment” and protest footage demand fuel criticism
In the decertification letter, Secretary Noem accused Harvard’s leadership of “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment,” one she said had grown hostile to Jewish students while encouraging “pro-Hamas sympathies” and employing “racist diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.”
She also alleged Harvard hosted and collaborated with members of the Chinese Communist Party, including a paramilitary group complicit in human rights abuses.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” Noem said.
Bhutoria called the DHS's request for disciplinary and protest-related records a “blatant attempt” to intimidate student activists, especially those voicing dissent.
“This is not the America we stand for—an America that should be a beacon of opportunity, not a place of fear for young scholars,” he said.
“The Trump administration risks driving talent to countries like Canada and the UK, weakening US-India relations at a time when collaboration is more critical than ever.”
Harvard responds cautiously, graduation looms
In its brief response, Harvard acknowledged the DHS decision and said it remains committed to its global student body.
“Harvard is committed to maintaining our ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University and this nation,” the university stated.
The timing of the DHS action is critical. It comes just days before Harvard’s commencement ceremonies and months before the next academic session begins in the autumn.
(With inputs from PTI)
The decision, made under the Trump administration, affects both current and prospective foreign students under F-1 and J-1 visa categories. This includes nearly 800 Indian students and scholars currently enrolled at the institution.
“The revocation of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means that Harvard is prohibited from having any aliens on F- or J- nonimmigrant status for the 2025–2026 academic school 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,” Noem wrote.
Also Read: US bans Harvard from admitting foreign students: What it means for nearly the 7,000 already on campus
Six strict demands, 72-hour countdown
Harvard’s only route to restoring its SEVP status before the new academic year hinges on fulfilling six federal requirements. These include:
- All records of “illegal activity” involving nonimmigrant students over the last five years
- Documentation of “dangerous or violent activity” on or off campus by these students
- Records of “threats made” by them toward others
- Any evidence of these students depriving others of their rights
- All disciplinary records of nonimmigrant students since 2020
- Any protest-related audio or video involving nonimmigrant students
“Please be advised that providing materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent information may subject you to criminal prosecution... Other criminal and civil sanctions may also apply,” Noem warned.
Also Read: What happens to 788 Indian students in Harvard University after Trump cracks down on Ivy League school
Indian students and global scholars caught in limbo
The fallout is especially serious for Harvard’s foreign student body, which numbers over 10,000 across all schools. Among them are 788 students and scholars from India enrolled for the 2024–25 academic year. Harvard’s own data shows between 500 to 800 Indian students study at the institution each year.
Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to President Biden on the AANHPI Commission, condemned the move.
“This policy directly threatens over 500 Indian students at Harvard, forcing them to transfer or leave the US before the next academic year begins,” he told PTI.
“These students, who represent the brightest minds from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, have invested their dreams, finances and futures in a Harvard education—only to have their aspirations shattered by a politically motivated attack.”
Also Read: Harvard’s ability to enrol international students halted by Trump administration
“Unsafe environment” and protest footage demand fuel criticism
In the decertification letter, Secretary Noem accused Harvard’s leadership of “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment,” one she said had grown hostile to Jewish students while encouraging “pro-Hamas sympathies” and employing “racist diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.”
She also alleged Harvard hosted and collaborated with members of the Chinese Communist Party, including a paramilitary group complicit in human rights abuses.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” Noem said.
Bhutoria called the DHS's request for disciplinary and protest-related records a “blatant attempt” to intimidate student activists, especially those voicing dissent.
“This is not the America we stand for—an America that should be a beacon of opportunity, not a place of fear for young scholars,” he said.
“The Trump administration risks driving talent to countries like Canada and the UK, weakening US-India relations at a time when collaboration is more critical than ever.”
Harvard responds cautiously, graduation looms
In its brief response, Harvard acknowledged the DHS decision and said it remains committed to its global student body.
“Harvard is committed to maintaining our ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University and this nation,” the university stated.
The timing of the DHS action is critical. It comes just days before Harvard’s commencement ceremonies and months before the next academic session begins in the autumn.
(With inputs from PTI)
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