By Emmanuel Nduka
In a sweeping and controversial move, the Trump administration on Thursday barred Harvard University from enrolling new international students, accusing the prestigious institution of tolerating antisemitism on its campus.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, existing international students at Harvard must either transfer to another institution or risk losing their legal immigration status.
“Harvard can no longer admit foreign students. Those currently enrolled must seek alternative arrangements or face removal from the country,” the statement read.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the administration’s stance in a formal letter to the university: “Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and other institutions that wish to benefit from the privilege of educating international students — the Trump administration will enforce the law and combat anti-Americanism and antisemitism wherever it appears.”
In addition to this enrollment restriction, the federal government has already pulled billions of dollars in funding from Harvard and has warned that its tax-exempt status may be revoked.
The move is expected to trigger legal challenges and has sparked immediate concern from educational and civil rights organizations, as well as academic institutions across the country.
