U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated his campaign against Ivy League universities as his administration banned Harvard from enrolling international students, accusing the university of fostering antisemitism as its venue has often been used for protest by the pro-Palestine.
On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, issued a termination of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, accusing the institution of promoting violence, anti-jew, and cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party.
Without the certification, Harvard will not be able to enroll any foreign student during the 2025-2026 academic year. The university has been increasing international students for the past decades, with 6,800 foreign students enrolling in the 2024-2025 school year, 27% of the total enrollment.
Noem stated the possible return of certification if Harvard shares information about their foreign students, including any record of their protest activities, within three days after the university previously refused to disclose any. Meanwhile, the university criticized the block as a retaliation and claimed it as an illegal act.
Later, the secretary stated in the TV interview that he considered placing the order on other universities and warned them to get their acts together. His president has been accusing several schools and colleges of promoting anti-American, communist and extremist ideologies.
Trump recently tried to terminate hundreds of student visas and green cards, but a federal judge blocked it on Thursday. Still, his administration has canceled the Harvard fund of $60 million on Monday on top of nearly $3 billion he recently froze.
