Trump administration revokes Harvard's foreign student programme certificate

The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University's certification to enrol international students, in a move that could impact thousands of foreign scholars, according to a report by Reuters.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the decision on social media, stating that Harvard had lost its certification under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) due to alleged non-compliance with immigration law.

Secretary Noem further accused the prestigious university of “encouraging violence, anti-Semitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”

“Let this be a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” she wrote.

The decision effectively bars Harvard from hosting international students unless they transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal immigration status in the United States.

Harvard University strongly condemned the move, describing it as “illegal” and harmful.

“We are fully committed to preserving Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who come from more than 140 countries and who enrich the university - and this nation - immensely,” the university said in a statement. 

“This vindictive action seriously harms the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”

According to university figures, over 6,700 international students were enrolled at Harvard in the last academic year, comprising roughly 27% of its student body.