WASHINGTON (May 22, 2025) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked Harvard University’s certification to enroll foreign students, citing what it described as “pro-terrorist conduct,” antisemitic harassment, and collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the unprecedented move Thursday, stating that Harvard had “refused to comply” with federal requests and had “created an unsafe campus environment.”
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said. “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.”
The termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification means the university can no longer admit international students, and those currently enrolled will have to transfer or risk losing their legal immigration status in the U.S.
The move follows weeks of escalating tension between DHS and the Ivy League institution. On April 16, Noem demanded the university provide detailed information about misconduct involving foreign students. Harvard allegedly refused to comply, prompting Thursday’s enforcement action.
Last month, DHS also canceled $2.7 million in grants to Harvard, citing similar concerns.
A DHS statement accused Harvard administrators of allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators,” including foreign nationals, to intimidate and physically assault Jewish students on campus. Officials said the university failed to act meaningfully despite repeated incidents of harassment and violence.
Harvard has not yet publicly responded to the DHS order.
Among the most serious allegations are claims that Harvard hosted and trained members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) — a Chinese paramilitary organization sanctioned by the U.S. government for its role in the repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. DHS said university collaborations with the group continued into 2024, years after XPCC’s designation on the Treasury Department’s sanctions list.
A joint government task force cited internal studies showing nearly 60% of Jewish students at Harvard had reported experiencing “discrimination, stereotyping, or negative bias” due to their political views. One student was allegedly told by organizers that a story about his Holocaust-survivor grandfather finding refuge in Israel was “not tasteful” and risked justifying “oppression.”
Despite these complaints, DHS said, student groups with pro-Hamas messaging remained recognized and funded after the October 7 attacks in Israel.
Secretary Noem also criticized the university’s alleged race-based hiring policies and foreign financial ties. According to DHS, Harvard received $151 million from foreign governments since 2020 and engaged in joint research with Chinese academics on U.S. Department of Defense-funded projects, including robotics with potential military applications.
“Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused,” Noem said. “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
This marks the first time a university of Harvard’s stature has had its SEVP status revoked for national security and civil rights-related concerns.
