United States Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has warned to revoke Harvard University’s eligibility to enroll international students. She stated to take action against the University, if it doesn’t turn over records on international students’ “illegal and violent activities.” Noem has written a letter demanding detailed records on Harvard’s foreign student visa holders’ illegal and violent activities by April 30, 2025, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) news release on Wednesday. In the official release, it is further stated that Noem has asked the University to face immediate loss of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification if it fails to comply.
According To US DHS, the certification enables universities to issue forms to admitted students from abroad that they can use for applying visa to enter the US. According to data from the University, Harvard University has 6,793 international students, making up 27.2 percent of its enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year. Moreover, on Wednesday, DHS announced the cancellation of two federal grants worth USD 2.7 million to Harvard University.
Meanwhile, a Harvard spokesperson in a statement said that the university is aware about the letter. However, they reiterated their statement that they “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
“We will continue to comply with the law and expect the Administration to do the same.” It further said, “If federal action is taken against a member of our community, we expect it will be based on clear evidence, follow established legal procedures, and respect the constitutional rights afforded to all individuals,” the statement read.
Donald Trump Criticises Harvard
Notably, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday had criticised Harvard University and denounced its hiring practices as “woke” and “Radical Left.” He called the institution a “joke” and added that the university should not be considered on any list of the “World’s Great Universities or Colleges.” He further condemned the University for hiring two former mayors, Bill de Blasio of New York and Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, to teach municipal management and government, calling them among the “worst and most incompetent” leaders.
“Harvard has been hiring almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots and birdbrains who are only capable of teaching failure to students and so-called future leaders. Look just to the recent past at their plagiarising President, who so greatly embarrassed Harvard before the United States Congress… Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges. Harvard is a joke, teaches Hate and stupidity, and should no longer receive federal funds. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump added.
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