Harvard University Loses SEVP Certification Amid Federal Crackdown

 Washington, D.C., May 23, 2025 — In a significant move, the Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively suspending the institution’s ability to admit new international students and barring it from hosting foreign nationals during the 2025–2026 academic year.

The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also mandates that current international students enrolled at Harvard on F-1 or J-1 visas must transfer to other accredited institutions to retain their legal nonimmigrant status.

“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," read the official DHS order.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared the announcement via the social media platform X, publishing a photograph of the signed decertification order. In her statement, Noem cited concerns over campus safety and foreign influence.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” she wrote. “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. Harvard had ample opportunity to take corrective action. It refused. Consequently, it has lost its SEVP certification.”

Noem also issued a broader warning to the higher education sector, stating, “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

This action follows a prior warning issued in April, during which the administration made clear that SEVP certification is contingent upon full compliance with U.S. immigration law. The decision to decertify Harvard is part of a wider federal initiative aimed at combating antisemitism and scrutinizing diversity programs on university campuses.

Additionally, the administration has begun revoking visas and deporting international students linked to campus protests against the war in Gaza, citing alleged ties to the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Harvard, the nation’s wealthiest academic institution with an endowment of $53.2 billion as of 2024, has become a focal point in the administration’s campaign. The university’s refusal to submit to federal oversight of its admissions policies, faculty appointments, and political positions has drawn repeated criticism from President Trump.

Last month, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding allocated to Harvard. An additional $450 million in cuts was announced earlier this week.