Kristi Noem blocks Harvard from enrolling international students

[Tickle]

5. Yes, as Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem has the authority to revoke a university's certification to enroll i

his certification is managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is required for institutions to host students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

On May 22, 2025, Secretary Noem announced the immediate revocation of Harvard University's SEVP certification. This action prohibits Harvard from enrolling new international students and mandates that current international students—numbering nearly 6,800—transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal immigration status.

The DHS cited Harvard's alleged failure to address antisemitism on campus and purported coordination with the Chinese Communist Party as reasons for the revocation. Secretary Noem emphasized that enrolling international students is a privilege, not a right, and that institutions must adhere to federal standards to maintain this privilege.
Harvard has condemned the action as unlawful and retaliatory, asserting that it undermines the university's academic mission and harms its community. The university is working to provide guidance and support to affected students and is pursuing legal avenues to challenge the decision.
This development is part of a broader pattern of increased federal scrutiny and intervention in higher education institutions, particularly those perceived to be promoting ideologies contrary to the administration's policies. The situation remains dynamic, with potential legal challenges and policy implications unfolding.