Homeland Security Secretary Noem Revokes Harvard University’s Authorization to Enroll International Students

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students.

Noem not only barred Harvard from admitting international students, but also required current students from abroad to transfer to another university in order to retain their legal status.

If not blocked by courts, Noem’s action will prohibit the graduation of thousands of international students next week, as well as preventing the return or new enrollment of international students legally in the USA through the Student Exchange and Visitor Program.

In the current academic year, 27.3% of Harvard’s students are international.  International students pay more than USA students, and more nearly pay for the cost of their education. Among the international students barred from the university by Noem’s action is Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, first in line to the throne, who just completed the first year of a graduate school program at Harvard. This is perhaps the highest-profile example of diplomatic repercussions.

On 16 April 2025, Noem demanded that Harvard supply records of any “illegal and violent activities” by international students studying at Harvard. She threatened to revoke SEVP certification if the university did not comply.

In a letter to the university’s community about what is happening, Harvard President Alan M. Garber said any government claim to be acting due to non-compliance with Noem’s demand is incorrect. Harvard provided records to Noem on 30 April in response to her demand. She made a further information demand, for which the university provided more record 14 May.

Subsequent revocation of Harvards SEVP certification occurred with no explanation and without specifying “any regulation with which Harvard failed to comply.”

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