The tussle between Harvard University and the Trump administration intensified as the Department of Homeland Security threatened to revoke the prestigious institution's certification for its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Citing demands for records on foreign students' visa holders' alleged "illegal and violent" activities, DHS has given the university an ultimatum: comply by April 30, or lose its certification. This move could significantly impede Harvard's ability to enroll international scholars, as over 6,000 foreign students currently attend the university, representing more than a quarter of the total enrollment.
In the statement released Wednesday and obtained by NBC Boston, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanded Harvard furnish detailed records by the end of April. The DHS warned that failing to demonstrate full compliance with reporting requirements would result in losing "the privilege" of enrolling foreign students, as mentioned on CBS News. The administration's aggressive stance comes after a freeze of $2.2 billion in grants and a revocation of $60 million worth of contracts earlier in the week. Moreover, President Trump has suggested that Harvard should forgo its tax-exempt status and be treated as a political entity.
The Secretary's statement accused Harvard of "bending the knee to antisemitism," charging that its alleged "spineless leadership" has resulted in "a cesspool of extremist riots" and threatened national security. An CBS News report details that beyond these measures, specific grants have also been terminated. The scrapped funding includes the $800,303 Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention grant and the $1,934,902 from the Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement grant, both of which are depicted by the DHS as supporting questionable studies and initiatives.
Harvard, for its part, remains defiant. A spokesperson for the university told NBC10 Boston that Harvard values the rule of law and expects to be treated fairly by legal standards. "Harvard is aware of the Department of Homeland Security’s letter regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas, which—like the Administration’s announcement of the freeze of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts, and reports of the revocation of Harvard’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status—follows on the heels of our statement that Harvard will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," the spokesperson stated on NBC Boston. In contrast to Harvard's firm stance, it's fellow Ivy League institution, Columbia University, complied last month with a set of similar policy changes demanded by the Trump Administration to avoid a threat to its funding.
Local political figures have voiced their support for Harvard's position in the face of federal pressure. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey lauded the university for not yielding to what she described as 'bullying', and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu highlighted the importance of those with resources and platforms standing up for what is right. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has cited "countless examples" of what she refers to as "illegal discrimination" at Harvard, though specifics on these claims remain to be provided, as mentioned on NBC Boston.
