Trump Admin Revokes Harvard University's Right to Enrol International Students

New Delhi: The Donald Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students.

Department of Homeland Security made the announcement on May 22.

"Effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to Harvard.

The Ivy League institution is a prestigious academic destination and has produced no fewer than 162 Nobel Prize winners. Each year, anywhere from 500-800 Indian students and scholars study at Harvard.

It has been locked in a tussle with Trump over the latter's stipulation that it submit to admissions and hiring oversight.

The Trump administration had, in April, threatened the university with this ban.

“If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students,” read a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

The Department has also canceled $2.7 million worth of research grants to Harvard. It is trying to get the university to turn over records of foreign students’ “illegal and violent activities”.

Noem, in her latest letter, has claimed that it is hostile to Jewish students – a reaction to the pro-Palestine, anti-genocide protests that took place across campuses last year.

"As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies, you have lost this privilege," Noem added.

Noem's statement also said that steps taken against Harvard should "serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country."

"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem added in a statement.

Trump himself called Harvard a “joke” on April 16 and said it should no longer get government money.

Harvard has vowed to assist its international students.

"The government's action is unlawful...This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission," it said.

Harvard’s South Asian Association has also strongly condemned the decision. "Amid this unwarranted and flagrant attack, SAA expresses our unwavering support for our international community. We stand with our South Asian peers and community members who have been adversely impacted," it said.

It added that international students bring integral and immeasurable value to both SAA and the entire Harvard community.

"SAA was founded in 1986 and built as a communal space for South Asians of all backgrounds, most importantly immigrants, international students, and first generation Americans. Our members come from nations across the entire South Asian diaspora, and we strive to affirm their belonging and importance on campus. If this decision by the current federal administration is actualized, Harvard will lose some of its greatest minds and kindest souls, and SAA will irrevocably lose its community," it said.

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