ISLAMABAD: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to Harvard University, stating that it may revoke the university’s certification to enroll international students unless it provides detailed records on certain visa-holding students allegedly involved in “illegal and violent activities.”
In a letter sent by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the agency gave Harvard until April 30 to submit information related to disciplinary actions, threats, or protest involvement by international students. The department accused the university of creating a “hostile learning environment” for Jewish students in the wake of ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
“It is a privilege to have foreign students attend Harvard University, not a guarantee,” the letter stated, as reported by The Harvard Crimson.
In response, Harvard reaffirmed its commitment to legal principles and constitutional protections.
“We will not surrender our independence or relinquish our constitutional rights,” a university spokesperson said. “We expect the Administration to do the same.”
The warning comes shortly after the Trump administration froze more than $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard and canceled two DHS grants worth $2.7 million. The White House has also threatened similar actions against other leading universities unless they comply with new federal directives—such as banning masks at protests, eliminating diversity programs, and shifting to merit-based admissions.
Additionally, the administration has moved to revoke hundreds of visas nationwide, citing national security concerns, a move critics say conflates peaceful protest with extremism and threatens academic freedom.
International students currently represent 27.2% of Harvard’s student body, with 6,793 enrolled this academic year. Losing certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would prevent the university from admitting any new international students.
