The Trump administration has issued a stern warning to Harvard University, threatening to revoke its ability to enroll international students unless the institution complies with demands to provide information on certain visa holders. This move is part of a broader crackdown on universities linked to pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has set an April 30 deadline for Harvard to furnish records concerning alleged “illegal and violent activities” by foreign students. Failure to comply could result in the loss of the university’s privilege to enroll foreign students. Additionally, the administration has canceled two grants totaling $2.7 million and is reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard. The administration has also frozen $2.3 billion in funds and is considering revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
Harvard has responded by affirming its commitment to academic freedom and constitutional rights, stating it will not surrender its independence while pledging to comply with the law.
This development is part of a wider initiative by the Trump administration to scrutinize international students and academic institutions in the U.S., particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian activism. The administration has revoked hundreds of visas across the country, often without clear explanations or due process, leading to confusion and fear among students and universities.
Critics, including former President Barack Obama, have condemned the administration’s actions as unlawful and a threat to academic freedom. Legal experts and educational institutions have also criticized the lack of transparency and due process, describing the situation as a targeted and destabilizing action against a vulnerable population.
The situation continues to evolve, with legal challenges mounting against the administration’s policies and universities grappling with the implications for their international student communities.
