Trump Administration Blocks Harvard from Enrolling International Students
- admin928749
- May 23
- 2 min read
In a dramatic and controversial move, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students, sparking global concern — including from Australia.
Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, said the embassy is actively working with the U.S. government to understand the decision and how it will affect Australians currently studying at Harvard.
“We’re seeking further details on the decision,” Rudd said.
At the heart of the controversy is a sudden announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which claimed that Harvard had created an "unsafe campus environment" and allowed what they described as “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to harass Jewish students. The department also accused the university of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, saying Harvard had trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024.
Based on these accusations, the Trump administration stripped Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification — a key designation that allows international students to obtain visas to study in the U.S.
What does this mean?Harvard can no longer enrol any new foreign students, and the thousands who are already enrolled must either transfer to another school or leave the country. That includes about 116 Australian students currently studying across various Harvard programs.
Harvard Calls the Move 'Unlawful'
Harvard isn’t taking this quietly. In a strong statement, the university called the decision “unlawful” and said it’s working urgently to provide guidance and support to its international student community.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission,” the university said.
The situation escalated after a letter in April from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who demanded Harvard hand over information on foreign students allegedly involved in campus protests or “violent activity.” According to her, Harvard’s failure to comply led to the sanctions.
In her latest communication, Noem said Harvard could reverse the decision — but only if the school provides a trove of records within 72 hours. That includes surveillance footage, audio, and any records of international students allegedly involved in protests or what the administration considers “dangerous” conduct.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said.
What's Next?
The decision has stunned the academic world and could have wide-reaching implications for higher education in the U.S. Harvard alone enrols nearly 6,800 international students — more than a quarter of its entire student body — from over 100 countries.
For Australia, the focus now is on supporting the 100+ students caught in the crossfire and navigating what this means for future enrolments.
Stay tuned — this story is developing fast, and with Harvard expected to challenge the decision, things could change quickly.
Stay tuned with Aus News Lanka – the leading platform for news for Australians.
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