The US Department of Homeland Security has warned that Harvard University could lose its ability to enrol foreign students if it fails to comply with demands from the Trump administration to provide information on certain visa holders, in what marks the latest escalation in a growing standoff between the federal government and the Ivy League institution.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also announced on Wednesday that the department had terminated two grants to Harvard totalling more than $2.7 million.
In a letter sent to Harvard, Noem demanded records by 30 April related to what she described as the “illegal and violent activities” of some foreign student visa holders at the university.
“If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students,” Noem said in a statement.
A Harvard spokesperson said the university had received Noem’s letter “regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas” and reiterated an earlier position that it “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” while adding that it would continue to comply with the law.
The Trump administration has increasingly targeted universities with threats to cut federal funding in response to pro-Palestinian campus protests against the US-backed Israeli military assault on Gaza, which followed a deadly attack in October 2023 by Palestinian Hamas militants.
President Donald Trump has characterised the campus protests as a national security concern, accusing demonstrators of antisemitism and expressing support for Hamas. Protesters, including several Jewish groups, have rejected this framing, insisting their advocacy centres on Palestinian human rights and opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza, not extremism or antisemitism.
The administration is also moving to deport some foreign student protesters and has already revoked hundreds of visas nationwide.
“With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos — DHS won’t,” Noem said, accusing the university of fostering an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology.”
Harvard has previously stated that it works to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination on campus while upholding academic freedom and the right to protest.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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