In a bold move, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday revoked Harvard University’s program to enroll international students, citing an “unsafe” campus environment. The agency alleged Harvard allowed “pro-terrorist agitators” targeting Jewish students and claimed collusion with the Chinese Communist Party through training of a Chinese paramilitary group—allegations made without evidence.
This decision appears to be part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against elite universities perceived as misaligned with its political agenda. Harvard has faced prior threats to its federal funding and tax-exempt status as Washington turned enforcement powers into a tool for coercion.
The latest action stems from an April directive by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who demanded detailed records on international students involved in campus protests that could lead to deportation. Noem described the move as “the unfortunate result of Harvard’s failure to comply with simple reporting requirements,” warning that all institutions must heed the 72-hour deadline for record submission.
By barring Harvard from enrolling new international students, the administration gains leverage over elite institutions, with the power to suspend visas and disrupt academic careers. Critics say this marks a shift from administrative oversight to direct political retribution, raising alarms about academic freedom and the U.S.’s standing as a global education hub.
Harvard College Democrats, an independent student-run group, argued that “Trump’s attack on international students is textbook authoritarianism — Harvard must continue to hold the line,” and urged the university to defend the lives of international scholars.
As the dispute intensifies, questions loom over the future of global talent pipelines and the integrity of higher education. Will other universities comply or push back? The next chapter in this high-stakes clash is just beginning.
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Education turning into tool for political retribution in U.S.
cgtn.com
