On May 22, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blocked Harvard from enrolling international students under visas like the F-1 student visa, citing the university’s purported tolerance of suspected pro-terrorist sympathizers. The department also announced all international students currently attending Harvard must transfer to another school or risk detention and removal. There are currently seven thousand international students enrolled at the university.
The following day, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the ban on enrolling new F-1 students is politically motivated. For the past several months, the government has criticized Harvard’s reaction to the protests that swept its’ campus in 2024. This culminated in the DHS requesting information on multiple international students on April 16, 2025.
Harvard claims it provided the requested information on April 30, 2025, and that the subsequent removal of its’ Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP) certification occurred despite its compliance. The DHS stated Harvard’s response was insufficient. The government also froze over two billion dollars in federal funding to the university.
In the weeks leading up to the ban, the government imposed increasingly strict requirements for the continuation of federal funding. Almost all these conditions mandated significant changes to Harvard’s admission system, hiring process, and academic programs. Harvard has since reaffirmed its support for its international students and faculty, which make up significant portion of the university’s population.
A federal judge blocked the government’s attempts to remove Harvard’s SEVP certification. This injection means no action can be taken until Harvard’s lawsuit is settled. The Trump responded to the injunction on May 27, 2025, by announcing plans to cease all federal funding to the university.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.