US government bans Harvard University from recruiting international students

"Effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certification is revoked," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to Harvard University, referring to the main system that allows foreign students to study in the United States, according to AFP on May 23.

In the letter, Secretary Noem explained that enrolling international students is a privilege and that all universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting obligations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, to maintain this privilege.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA)

PHOTO: REUTERS

“Because you have denied multiple requests for information from the Department of Homeland Security, maintained an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promoted sympathy for Hamas, and adopted racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have forfeited this privilege,” Noem wrote.

According to Ms. Noem, Harvard University is not allowed to enroll or retain any foreign nationals on F or J nonimmigrant visas during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The F visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who want to study at accreditededucational institutions in the United States. The J visa is also a nonimmigrant visa, for those participating in cultural and educational exchange programs such as students, research scholars, professors, interns, doctors in medical training programs, etc.

Under the new order, international students currently studying at Harvard on F-1 or J-1 visas must transfer to another school if they want to maintain their legal status to stay and study in the United States.

Secretary Noem also offered Harvard the opportunity to withhold its accreditation, requiring the university to provide records of foreign students, including video or audio recordings of their protest activities over the past five years, within 72 hours.

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Harvard fires back

Harvard is the most prestigious university in the US, producing 162 Nobel laureates. The school says it currently has 9,970 people in its international academic community, and data shows that 6,793 international students will make up 27.2% of its total enrollment in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to CNN.

Losing such a large percentage of students could be a huge financial blow to Harvard, which charges tens of thousands of dollars per year in tuition per student.

Harvard University quickly condemned the move as "unlawful" and said it would harm both the school and the country, while some students said the student community was "in panic", according to AFP.

“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars,” Harvard University said in a statement, adding that it is working to provide guidance and support to students.

President Donald Trump is furious with Harvard for refusing his request for oversight of admissions and hiring, based on his accusations that it is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and "woke" liberal ideology.

Last month, Mr. Trump threatened to block Harvard University from recruiting foreign students if it did not comply with government demands that would subject the private institution to outside political scrutiny.

In recent weeks, the administration has frozen about $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University, leading to lawsuits.

In an interview with Fox News on May 22, Secretary Noem threatened to strip other universities of their right to recruit foreign students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chinh-quyen-my-cam-dai-hoc-harvard-tuyen-sinh-vien-quoc-te-185250523071458852.htm