WASHINGTON — In a significant escalation of tensions between the federal government and academia, the Trump administration issued an extraordinary executive order Thursday targeting Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, igniting a high-stakes legal and ideological battle with nationwide implications.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, accusing the Ivy League institution of “supporting acts of terrorism.” The unprecedented move blocks Harvard from admitting new international students and forces current foreign enrollees to transfer institutions or risk losing legal immigration status. Currently, 6,800 international students represent 27% of Harvard’s student body, with nearly 10,000 global scholars contributing to its academic ecosystem.
Financial analysts note the decision directly threatens Harvard’s revenue model. For the upcoming academic year, tuition stands at $59,320, with total attendance costs nearing $87,000. International students, who often pay full tuition without federal aid, contribute disproportionately to the university’s $5.4 billion annual operating budget.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen framed the action as accountability: “Accepting foreign students at lucrative tuition rates is a privilege, not a right. Institutions defying national interests must face consequences.” Her social media statement warned other universities to view Harvard’s predicament as a “cautionary tale.”
The move follows months of conflict. In April, the White House demanded curriculum reforms, admissions policy overhauls, and stricter controls on campus activism under accusations of fostering antisemitism. After Harvard rejected these demands and sued to reclaim $2.2 billion in frozen federal grants, Thursday’s SEVP revocation emerged as retaliatory leverage.
Jason Newton, Harvard’s Director of Media Relations, condemned the administration: “This unlawful overreach jeopardizes America’s scientific leadership and cultural diversity. We will vigorously defend the contributions of scholars from 140 nations while supporting affected communities.” Legal experts anticipate immediate injunctive relief requests from the university.
In a twist of timing, a federal judge in Oakland, California, issued a temporary restraining order hours after the DHS announcement, blocking enforcement against international students pending litigation. This development casts doubt on the policy’s immediate viability while setting the stage for prolonged courtroom clashes.
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