Context:

The Trump administration has terminated Harvard University's student visa program due to alleged pro-terrorist conduct and failure to comply with information requests regarding student behavior at protests. Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Harvard's refusal to provide records of student visa holders' activities and disciplinary actions prompted the decision. Harvard is barred from enrolling foreign students for the 2025-2026 academic year, and current international students must transfer or leave the U.S. Noem gave Harvard a 72-hour window to submit the necessary information to regain its visa privileges. This action is part of a broader crackdown on campuses following pro-Gaza protests, reflecting the administration's stance on enforcing immigration laws and addressing campus antisemitism.

Dive Deeper:

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has canceled Harvard University's student visa program, citing the university's non-compliance with requests for behavioral records of student visa holders involved in protests perceived as pro-terrorist.

• Harvard is prohibited from enrolling new international students for the upcoming academic year, and current foreign students must either transfer to another institution or leave the U.S. before the next school year begins.

• Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of fostering an unsafe environment hostile to Jewish students and promoting pro-Hamas rhetoric while failing to provide requested records of protest activities and student disciplinary actions.

• Harvard was given 72 hours to comply with DHS's demands to potentially restore its ability to host foreign students, but an incomplete response led to the termination of its visa program.

• The move is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to revoke student visas and impose sanctions on universities that do not comply with federal regulations, particularly in light of recent pro-Gaza campus protests.

• The administration has already frozen approximately $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard, primarily for research, and has initiated investigations into the university's handling of antisemitism and diversity policies.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the State Department has revoked thousands of student visas and will continue to do so for individuals deemed disruptive to U.S. higher education facilities.