Harvard Faces Sanctions Over Foreign Student Protests and Visa Reporting

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stark warning to Harvard University, threatening to revoke its ability to enrol international students unless it complies with requests for detailed information regarding certain visa holders.

In a statement made on Wednesday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the cancellation of two federal grants to Harvard worth over $2.7 million. She also disclosed that she had sent a formal letter to the university, requesting records concerning what she called “illegal and violent activities” by some foreign students enrolled at the institution.

“If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students,” Noem declared, underscoring the Trump administration’s hardline stance.

This development forms part of a wider federal campaign to exert pressure on universities seen as resisting White House directives, particularly in relation to recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses across the country. Many of these protests were sparked by Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack in October 2023.

Responding to the DHS’s demands, a Harvard spokesperson confirmed the university had received Noem’s correspondence. “The university was aware of Noem’s letter regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas,” the spokesperson noted, reaffirming Harvard’s position to defend its institutional autonomy and constitutional protections. “It will comply with the law,” the university added, while maintaining its refusal to be politically coerced.

The Trump administration has painted these student protests as a matter of national security. President Trump has repeatedly described demonstrators as “foreign policy threats who are antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas.” However, protest organisers—including Jewish student groups—have insisted the rallies are driven by humanitarian concerns, rejecting any alignment with extremism.

The administration has already revoked hundreds of student visas and is advocating for the deportation of international students linked to the demonstrations.

In a further escalation, Secretary Noem criticised Harvard’s rejection of federal oversight, highlighting the institution’s vast financial resources. “With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos – DHS won’t,” she said, accusing the university of promoting an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology.”

Harvard, for its part, has reiterated its opposition to antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, while defending the right to academic freedom and peaceful protest.

Tensions have been building since late March, when the Trump administration began a review of approximately $9 billion in federal funding linked to Harvard. Last week, federal officials demanded policy changes on campus, including a ban on face masks during protests and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.

President Trump has gone even further, threatening to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status. According to CNN, the Internal Revenue Service is actively reviewing the matter, with a decision expected shortly.

Harvard has pushed back firmly, stating that such a move lacks any legal justification and could jeopardise financial aid availability and the continuation of essential medical research programmes.