In a significant move, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s authority to enrol international students for the 2025–26 academic year.
This decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, affects nearly 6,800 foreign students currently enrolled at Harvard, including approximately 116 Australians. The administration cited Harvard’s alleged failure to provide requested records on foreign students and accused the university of fostering a hostile environment.
“This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the Department has said.
Background of the decision
The decision stems from a 16 April request by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding that Harvard provide information about foreign students potentially involved in protests or activities deemed threatening. The administration accused Harvard of creating an unsafe campus environment by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault Jewish students and alleged coordination with the Chinese Communist Party.
Noem said Harvard could regain its ability to host foreign students if it produced a trove of records on foreign students within 72 hours.
Harvard’s response and legal actions
Harvard has condemned the action as unlawful and retaliatory, asserting that it threatens serious harm to the university community and undermines its academic mission. The university is working to provide guidance to affected students and has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the decision.
Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, called the decision “illegal, small-minded” overreach.
“I worry that this is sending a very chilling effect to international students looking to come to America for education,” he said.
Broader implications for international education
This unprecedented move raises concerns about the politicisation of international education and its impact on global academic collaboration.
