The Crossbill Team
Harvard University has condemned a decision by the Trump administration to revoke its certification to admit international students, calling the move “unlawful” and deeply damaging to both the institution and the country.
The announcement, made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 22, effectively strips Harvard of its ability to enrol international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS), escalating an already tense standoff between the Ivy League university and the administration.
In an official statement, Harvard said the action poses a grave threat to its academic and research mission and pledged to support affected international students.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission.” the university said, promising to provide guidance and assistance to students impacted by the sudden decision. Reuters reported.
The move has drawn strong backlash from the academic community. Faculty leaders from Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors denounced the administration’s action as part of “a string of nakedly authoritarian and retaliatory moves against America’s oldest institution of higher education.”
They warned that the government was seeking to “destroy higher education in the United States,” and urged universities not to yield to such measures.
Former US Treasury Secretary and past Harvard president Lawrence Summers also criticized the decision.
Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Summers described the revocation as “illegal and damaging.”
“This is vicious, it is illegal, it is unwise, and it is very damaging,” he said adding, “Why does it make any sense at all to stop 6,000 enormously talented young people who want to come to the United States to study from having that opportunity?”
The revocation follows weeks of escalating pressure from the Trump administration, which in April threatened Harvard with losing its ability to admit foreign students unless it submitted to increased oversight of its admissions and hiring processes.
The Department of Homeland Security has also cancelled $2.7 million in research grants to the university and demanded records on international students’ alleged “illegal and violent activities.”
In her letter, Noem accused Harvard of refusing to comply with federal requests and of creating a campus environment that is “hostile to Jewish students,” citing last year’s pro-Palestine, anti-genocide protests.
She further alleged that the university promotes “pro-Hamas sympathies” and enforces “racist” diversity and inclusion policies.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem stated, warning that the action should serve as a precedent for other academic institutions.
The controversy has also stirred reactions from student groups. Harvard’s South Asian Association (SAA) issued a strong statement of solidarity with international students, denouncing the decision as “an unwarranted and flagrant attack.”
The group emphasized the vital contributions of international and South Asian students to the university community, warning that Harvard “will lose some of its greatest minds and kindest souls” if the decision stands.
Harvard remains firm in its stance and has not ruled out legal action. As the fallout continues, the university’s ability to defend its autonomy and protect its global academic community is expected to come under increasing scrutiny.
The announcement, made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 22, effectively strips Harvard of its ability to enrol international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS), escalating an already tense standoff between the Ivy League university and the administration.
In an official statement, Harvard said the action poses a grave threat to its academic and research mission and pledged to support affected international students.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission.” the university said, promising to provide guidance and assistance to students impacted by the sudden decision. Reuters reported.
The move has drawn strong backlash from the academic community. Faculty leaders from Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors denounced the administration’s action as part of “a string of nakedly authoritarian and retaliatory moves against America’s oldest institution of higher education.”
They warned that the government was seeking to “destroy higher education in the United States,” and urged universities not to yield to such measures.
Former US Treasury Secretary and past Harvard president Lawrence Summers also criticized the decision.
Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Summers described the revocation as “illegal and damaging.”
“This is vicious, it is illegal, it is unwise, and it is very damaging,” he said adding, “Why does it make any sense at all to stop 6,000 enormously talented young people who want to come to the United States to study from having that opportunity?”
The revocation follows weeks of escalating pressure from the Trump administration, which in April threatened Harvard with losing its ability to admit foreign students unless it submitted to increased oversight of its admissions and hiring processes.
The Department of Homeland Security has also cancelled $2.7 million in research grants to the university and demanded records on international students’ alleged “illegal and violent activities.”
In her letter, Noem accused Harvard of refusing to comply with federal requests and of creating a campus environment that is “hostile to Jewish students,” citing last year’s pro-Palestine, anti-genocide protests.
She further alleged that the university promotes “pro-Hamas sympathies” and enforces “racist” diversity and inclusion policies.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem stated, warning that the action should serve as a precedent for other academic institutions.
The controversy has also stirred reactions from student groups. Harvard’s South Asian Association (SAA) issued a strong statement of solidarity with international students, denouncing the decision as “an unwarranted and flagrant attack.”
The group emphasized the vital contributions of international and South Asian students to the university community, warning that Harvard “will lose some of its greatest minds and kindest souls” if the decision stands.
Harvard remains firm in its stance and has not ruled out legal action. As the fallout continues, the university’s ability to defend its autonomy and protect its global academic community is expected to come under increasing scrutiny.
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