Foreign admissions ban: After cancelling grants, Trump admin has hit another critical financial nerve of Harvard University

 

In a dramatic and highly controversial move, the Trump administration has stripped Harvard University of its ability to enrol international students. Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, is now barred from accepting students from outside the United States.

The order came directly from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who stated that Harvard had failed to comply with what she called “simple reporting requirements.” As a result, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program—or SEVP—which means the university no longer has access to SEVIS, the federal system used to manage international student visas.

What does this mean in practice? Well, about 6,800 international students at Harvard—roughly 27 per cent of the entire student body—are now in legal limbo. That includes nearly 800 students from India. They must either transfer to another university or risk falling out of legal immigration status altogether. And with the spring term ending on May 26, time is running out fast.

The administration’s statement said that “Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.” 

Now, to understand how we got here, let’s rewind a bit. Back in April, Homeland Security launched an investigation into Harvard, accusing the university of fostering what it described as a “hostile learning environment for Jewish students.” As part of that probe, the government demanded sweeping data about international students—everything from their course schedules to any involvement in illegal activity.

Harvard said it would only provide information that was “required by law” and advised students to remain focused on their studies. But the administration wasn’t satisfied. It narrowed its demands in early May, asking for data on students who met four new criteria. Harvard replied, saying only a handful of students matched, and requested clarification.

Instead of continuing the dialogue, Secretary Noem pulled the plug. On May 22, she revoked Harvard’s certification and then expanded the criteria again—this time to six categories—giving the university just 72 hours to comply. Harvard now needs to give the government details in these six categories about international students to regain its capacity to enroll foreign students:

  • All records of “illegal activity” involving nonimmigrant Harvard students, on or off campus, in the past five years.
  • All records of “dangerous or violent activity” by nonimmigrant students, on or off campus, in the past five years.
  • All records of “threats” made by nonimmigrant students against students or staff.
  • Any records of nonimmigrant students depriving others of rights, on or off campus.
  • All disciplinary records of nonimmigrant students from the past five years.
  • Any audio or video of protest activity involving nonimmigrant students on campus in the past five years.

Legal experts are calling this move retaliatory, arbitrary and capricious and that the DHS secretary lacked the authority to dismantle Harvard’s international programme. Harvard, for its part, has pushed back strongly. A spokesman called the decision “unlawful” and said it threatens to cause serious harm to the university and the country. He added that international students “enrich the university—and the US—immeasurably.”

Let’s talk numbers for a second. Tuition at Harvard is $59,320—or about 50 lakh rupees—for the 2025–26 academic year. When you include room and board, the total rises to nearly $87,000, or over 72 lakh rupees.

International students often pay these costs in full, making them a critical financial pillar for the university.

This isn’t just about the money and the paperwork. It’s the latest front in a broader ideological battle. The Trump administration has long viewed elite universities like Harvard as liberal strongholds that resist its agenda. By targeting international student enrolment, the administration hits both a symbolic and financial nerve.

But here’s the kicker: while students’ visas technically remain valid, without Harvard’s access to SEVIS, their legal standing is shaky. They could become undocumented the moment their enrolment status can’t be verified.

The stakes are enormous. Harvard is expected to challenge the decision in court immediately. Whether the courts will act in time is another question entirely.

One thing is clear: this is more than a bureaucratic dispute. It’s a high-stakes confrontation with real human costs—and for thousands of international students, especially the nearly 800 from India, the future is hanging in the balance.

World