Trump Administration Targets Harvard University and International Students

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is threatening to revoke Harvard University's eligibility to host international students unless it turns over disciplinary records of international students accused of "illegal and violent activities" by April 30, 2025. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote a letter to Harvard, which has 6,793 international students making up 27.2% of its enrollment, accusing the university of creating a "hostile learning environment" for Jewish students. Harvard has refused to comply, stating it will not "surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights." DHS has also cancelled two federal grants worth $2.7 million to Harvard.

Over 1,000 international students and recent graduates at more than 130 US schools have had their visas or statuses revoked this year, with colleges and universities in 40 states confirming the terminations. Universities often discovered the revocations by checking the federal database, but few were given a reason by the government for the actions. Some universities reported that the terminations were due to unspecified criminal charges or "violations of the terms of the individuals' visa programs." A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration, seeking to stop student visa revocations and reinstate those that have already been revoked, on behalf of 133 foreign nationals.

Yale Law Professor Bruce Ackerman says the White House's escalating attacks on Harvard University are "unprecedented" and a threat to democracy.

The Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in research funding at Harvard University, with potential further cuts of $7 billion, as part of a broader campaign against elite universities. Dr. Sarah Fortune, a Harvard immunologist, received a stop-work notice for her $60 million NIH-funded tuberculosis research. Other researchers at Harvard, including Dr. David R. Walt and Dr. Donald E. Ingber, also received stop-work notices for their projects on Lou Gehrig's disease and space travel, respectively. Harvard President Alan M. Garber resisted the cuts, saying they would harm the nation. The administration framed the cuts as a response to Harvard's perceived lack of cooperation and its large endowment. The move is part of a larger effort to cut federal research expenses and end projects that contradict the administration's policy aims. Several universities, including Princeton and Cornell, have sued the administration over similar cuts.

The Internal Revenue Service is considering revoking Harvard University's tax-exempt status, according to three people familiar with the matter, in a significant escalation of the Trump administration's attempts to pressure the university. The move follows President Trump's public call for Harvard to pay taxes and the administration's demands that the university revamp its hiring and admissions practices and curriculum. Harvard has said there is no legal basis for rescinding its tax status and that doing so would endanger its educational mission and have grave consequences for higher education in America. The university is already under financial pressure after the Trump administration cut off $2.2 billion in federal funding and the homeland security secretary canceled nearly $3 million in agency grants.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho spoke out against federal agents who attempted to conduct welfare checks on undocumented students at two elementary schools, drawing national attention. Carvalho, who was once undocumented himself after overstaying a visitor visa, said the agents' actions were "ludicrous" and that he felt a personal connection to the students. He questioned the agents' handling of the visit, alleging that they concealed their IDs and lied about having parental authorization. The Department of Homeland Security denied the allegations, stating that the agents clearly identified themselves and were conducting a legitimate welfare check. Carvalho's comments were praised by immigration advocates, who see him as an ally and note that his personal experience as an undocumented immigrant informs his advocacy for the district's undocumented students.

As President Trump exerts pressure on powerful institutions like universities, law firms, and media companies, some are choosing to resist his demands rather than cut a deal. Harvard University recently refused to comply with the Trump administration's demands regarding hiring, admissions, and curriculum, emboldening other institutions to push back. Over 500 law firms have supported peers targeted by Trump, and the Associated Press fought the White House in court after being banned from the Oval Office. The resistance has shifted from internal opposition within the government to open battles between Trump and various institutions.