The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. The school called the decision “unlawful.”
The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday it revoked Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of cultivating a “unsafe” campus that fosters antisemitism in a letter to the university.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments,” Noem said in a press release. “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
The revocation means that Harvard will not be able to enroll students with specific nonimmigrant statuses for next school year. Current Harvard students on these visas will need to transfer to a different school.
The move comes after Homeland Security demanded Harvard turn over detailed records about their international students by April 30 or risk losing their ability to enroll them. According to the department, Harvard did not provide the requested information.
A spokesperson for Harvard described the Trump administration’s actions as “unlawful” and said the university “working quickly” to provide guidance to their international students.
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably,” he said. “This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The announcement comes a week before commencement, when some of its nearly 7000 international students are set to graduate.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
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