Context:

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, a move affecting approximately 27% of its student body, following a disagreement over a records request by the Department of Homeland Security. This action is part of a broader effort by the administration to exert pressure on the university to comply with its policies, potentially leading to a second legal challenge from Harvard. The decision is expected to have significant financial implications for Harvard, as international students contribute substantially to the university's revenue. Harvard officials denounce the action as unlawful, emphasizing the importance of international students to the institution's academic and cultural environment. The administration's decision is seen as an unprecedented attempt to reshape a university's student body by revoking its access to the student visa program, raising concerns about the future of academic diversity and freedom in the U.S.

Dive Deeper:

• The Trump administration's decision to halt Harvard's ability to enroll international students follows a dispute over the legality of a Department of Homeland Security records request, affecting about a quarter of the university's student population.

• The move is seen as part of the administration's efforts to pressure the institution into aligning with its policies, potentially prompting Harvard to pursue additional legal action following a previous lawsuit against changes to its curriculum and admissions.

• The revocation of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification applies to both current and future international students, requiring existing international students to transfer or face losing their legal status.

• Harvard's spokesperson condemned the administration's action as unlawful, emphasizing the vital role that international students and scholars play in enriching the university and the nation, while underscoring the potential harm to Harvard's academic mission.

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for overseeing the federal student visa program, cited Harvard's failure to comply with specific reporting requirements as the reason for the revocation, a claim Harvard disputes as exceeding legal obligations.

• This unprecedented action against Harvard, a leading university, raises concerns about the administration's willingness to target individual institutions, potentially reshaping their student bodies and undermining academic freedom and diversity.

• Harvard's senior officials are alarmed by the ongoing investigations and funding cuts imposed by the government, viewing them as part of a broader crisis threatening the university's autonomy and ability to maintain its international standing.