US President Trump has revoked Harvard University's right to enroll international students. The Department of Homeland Security revoked the student and exchange visitor program (SEVP), which eventually made Harvard University unable to enroll the international students. It questioned the 7000 International students' status at Harvard University. Harvard University called this act ‘unlawful’.

From the start, Trump has imposed various restrictions on Harvard. Harvard University had an endowment of $52.3 million in 2024. He froze the funding around $2.3 billion, which made the university unable to spend on projects in various fields like science and technology, engineering and other humanitarian projects. In Indian Rupees, it is worth around 1.9 lakh crores, Which is more than the total GDP of many countries.

Conflict between Trump and Harvard

Trump alleged that Harvard is creating an inharmonious environment for Jewish students, promoting pro-Hamas activities, and operating on the principles of discrimination. Also added that Harvard indulged in the association with the Chinese Communist Party.

What is SEVP?

The student and exchange visitor program (SEVP), Allowed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enables Harvard to enrol students from foreign countries. Form I - 20 is a crucial document for students to maintain legal status in the US. By revoking SEVP certification, Students from Harvard become ineligible to study and stay in the US.

The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, tweeted in the Social media platform X. In it Noem said: “I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked.”

“The revocation of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means that Harvard is prohibited from having any aliens on F- or J-nonimmigrant status for the 2025-2026 academic school year. This decertification also means that existing aliens on F- or J- nonimmigrant status must transfer to another university to maintain their nonimmigrant status,” Noem said.

What is the demand to restore to SEVP certification?

DHS Secretary Noem provided 72 hours to comply with their stringent conditions,

DHS is asking for evidence like video or audio footage in the possession of Harvard, whether it is formal or informal about the students who are indulged in the protest.

DHS, demanding the details of students with a political agenda against them, and also the details of the students who support Palestine and oppose Israel.

How would this affect the international students?

International students have different types of student visas. That are F-1, M-1 and J-1. F-1 visa is for international students to study in academic institutions like schools and colleges. M-1 Visa is for the student who wishes to attend vocational and technical training programmes. J-1 Visa is for exchange programme students. The revocation put the student’s condition under question.

Among 7000 international students, 788 Indian students are there. If the ban continues, There are no restrictions for the students in the final semester. But the other students have to discontinue and return to their home countries.

How will this move affect Harvard University?

In the economic aspect, Harvard has received around $56,550 from each student in 2024 - 25 directly or as a scholarship. Apart from that, $26,316 was received as additional compensation for the food and accommodation. Of the 7000 total international students, Harvard is getting around $562 million as an annual income. According to NAFSA, an association of all international educators, all these international students have contributed around $43.8 billion to the US economy in 2023-24. Through the revocation, Harvard and the US are going to lose much of their income from foreign students.

And also, Harvard is well known for its diversity. Students from various countries and various cultures are studied here. The revocation would create a situation that would lose the diversity of the university.

What is the reason behind Trump's attack on Harvard?

Trump claimed that his action was for the welfare of Indigenous American students and American values. But the real reason is that the rump didn't like the student protest for Gaza against Israel, which happened in 2024. Not only Harvard, but Trump is planning to target other universities like Brown University, Cornell University, and Columbia University.

Apart from that the conservative ideologist Trump wanted to take control over the universities. Initially, he cut down the funding, but now he is trying to pluck the university's enrollment power.

What is the reaction of the US Federal court?

Harvard approached the Federal court of the US against the revocation of the right to enroll international students in Harvard. Harvard stated the revocation as a ‘blatant violation’. The US federal court has restrained Trump's move to restrict the foreign students at Harvard.

“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, International students who contribute significantly to the university and its mission,” Harvard stated.

Trump defended his action by saying approximately 31% of the students are from foreign countries. Among them, some are from countries that have not befriended America. He cited that Harvard is not ready to enclose the details of the students who are against the principles of America.

“Why isn't Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their students' education, nor do they ever intend to. Nobody told us that," Trump posted.

“We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn't exactly forthcoming. We want those names and countries. Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you," he added.

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