By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT of United States (US) has warned Harvard University it could lose the right to enroll foreign students unless it complies with sweeping official regulations targeting student visa holders, university policies, and alleged antisemitism on campus.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued the ultimatum on Wednesday, accusing the Ivy League institution of harbouring “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” and failing to adequately police “illegal and violent” actions by foreign nationals studying at the university.
Noem gave Harvard until 30 April to hand over detailed records of student visa holders or face what she called “serious consequences.”
“If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students,” Noem said, after terminating two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants worth $2.7 million.
The move comes amid escalating federal pressure on US campuses where pro-Palestinian protests have drawn criticism from Trump administration officials, who argue they promote antisemitic rhetoric and support for terrorism.
International students currently make up more than 27% of Harvard’s enrolment.
The warning follows a wider Trump-era campaign to reshape the landscape of higher education by freezing funding, threatening tax exemptions, and conditioning access to federal benefits on political and cultural compliance.
Meanwhile, federal authorities have already frozen $2.3 billion in funding to Harvard, citing the university’s refusal to alter teaching, hiring, and admissions processes.
President Donald Trump has also threatened to strip the university of its tax-exempt status — a move experts warn could cost Harvard millions annually and deeply affect financial aid and medical research.
Harvard President Alan Garber pushed back earlier in the week, declaring the institution “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
Garber reiterated the university’s position following the latest DHS letter, stating it remained committed to lawful cooperation but stood by its values.
The administration’s campaign, anchored by its newly established antisemitism task force, has targeted at least 60 universities for review.
In March, Columbia University capitulated to similar demands after losing $400 million in federal funds, replacing academic leadership and promising reforms in admissions oversight.
According to federal officials, the push to revoke student visas is part of a broader security review.
Hundreds of visas have reportedly been cancelled, particularly among students linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Human rights advocates warn the policy may breach constitutional protections, chilling academic freedom and free expression.
Harvard itself has made concessions in recent months, dismissing the leadership of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies after criticism over a perceived lack of Israeli representation. Still, it has resisted sweeping outside oversight.
Trump intensified his attacks this week, branding Harvard “a JOKE” and declaring on his Truth Social platform: “Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning.” He called for the university’s removal from rankings of top global institutions.
US analysts describe the White House’s confrontation with Harvard as part of a wider political effort to rein in higher education institutions seen as hostile to conservative values.
Back in 2024, Trump’s campaign had promised to clamp down on what he calls “woke” universities, signalling continued federal scrutiny of elite campuses.
