Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified Harvard University that it will not be able to enroll international students and that those on campus have to transfer somewhere else, as the administration continues to pressure the nation’s wealthiest college to better align with President Trump’s agenda. 

Here's what to know about the administration's move:

Noem said Harvard had plenty of warning

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the department to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification on Thursday. 

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said in a statement. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multi-billion-dollar endowments. 

Noem said the Ivy League institution had “plenty of opportunity to do the right thing,” but “it refused.” 

DHS chief said that Harvard lost their SEVP certification because of its “failure to adhere to the law” and that the pause should “serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

Harvard is pushing back

Harvard said that the federal government’s action is “unlawful.” 

“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University — and this nation — immeasurably,” the school’s spokesperson told The Hill. 

“We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission,” the spokesperson added.

How it could affect the university

International students make up 27.2 percent of the school’s student body, with 6,793 students, according to Harvard’s enrollment data. 

Tuition at Harvard for the 2025-2026 academic year will be $59,320. When room and board are included, the total cost ends up being nearly $87,000. Foreign students tend to pay more to institutions than Americans, as they are ineligible for federal financial aid. 

Harvard has need-blind admissions, which are available to all students, regardless of nationality. Therefore, the student’s financial need would not impact their chance of being admitted. Additionally, Harvard says it offers 100 percent need-based aid. 

“This means that financial aid supports the students who will benefit from it the most. Furthermore, we meet 100 percent of our students' demonstrated financial need,” the school said. 

Order could lead to a legal battle

A person familiar with the school’s thinking told The New First Times, which first reported on the news, that Harvard will likely challenge the block in court. 

Noem seemed to welcome the potential lawsuit, saying Thursday on Fox News, ”Tell them to bring it. I am on the side of America and they need to be too.” 

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which falls within DHS’ umbrella, is in charge of the school’s certification process. The certification permits U.S. universities, colleges and private high schools to issue I-20 forms after they accept foreign students into their programs. 

The Form I-20, dubbed the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, then allows the students to apply either for an F-1 or J-1 visa in order to be able to enter the country. 

Designated officers at schools with SEVP certifications have to “regularly” register students' records into the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) and update changes, including the student’s employment information and address. 

Institutions have to reapply for the SEVP certification every two years. 

Foreign students are normally allowed to transfer to another institution if their current school has lost its SEVP certification. 

Noem threatens action against other universities

Noem warned later on Thursday that DHS could similarly go after other schools’ SEVP certifications. 

“Get your act together, because we are coming to make sure that these programs, that you are facilitating an environment where students can learn, where they’re safe, and that they’re not discriminated against based on their race or their religion,” Noem said on Fox News.

Harvard and the administration have gone back and forth in recent weeks, tussling over records related to international students and their visas. 

The administration has put pressure on the Ivy League school, demanding that it alter its admissions and hiring policies, do away with diversity, equity and inclusion programs and do more to combat antisemitism on campus. 

The administration has frozen over $2.6 billion in grants and contracts in April. This week, another $60 million in grants were terminated. Trump has signaled that he could revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. 

In response, Harvard has sued the administration, accusing the administration of overreaching and demanding that the funds be reinstated.