US bans Harvard from enrolling foreign students

The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from admitting foreign students, revoking its authorization over accusations of promoting antisemitism and ties to China’s Communist Party, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the immediate cancellation of the certificate that allowed Harvard to issue student visa documents. Current foreign students will be required to transfer to other institutions or face deportation.

Harvard condemned the move as unlawful and politically motivated, saying it undermines the university’s academic mission. More than 7,000 international students from 140 countries are currently enrolled, making up over a quarter of the student body.

Federal grants worth $2.2 billion were frozen in April, with the government demanding a vetting system for foreign applicants and an audit of academic programs. Harvard refused and filed a lawsuit against the administration.