On Thursday, the U.S. government announced the revocation of Harvard University's certification, which allowed it to enroll international students.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that the university was being held accountable for purportedly collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party and for allegedly promoting violence, antisemitism, and pro-terrorist behavior among its students.

As a result, Harvard is now prohibited from enrolling new foreign students, and those currently enrolled must either transfer or risk losing their legal status.

Data from the university indicates that there were enrolled during the 2024-2025 academic year, constituting approximately 27.2% of the total student body.

The decision by the Trump administration to halt international enrollments is anticipated to have a significant impact on , as reported by a major news outlet.

For the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, tuition is set at $59,320, roughly equivalent to Rs 60 lakh, with total expenses, including housing, nearing $87,000, or about Rs 74.79 lakh. International students typically contribute a larger share of these costs compared to their domestic counterparts.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem emphasized in the press release that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and that universities benefit from the higher tuition fees these students pay.

Noem remarked, "Harvard had ample opportunity to act appropriately but chose not to. They have lost their certification due to non-compliance with the law. This should serve as a warning to all educational institutions nationwide."

Harvard may regain its ability to enroll international students if it submits a detailed set of records regarding all foreign students , as quoted by Noem. This includes audio or video evidence of foreign students engaging in protests or other dangerous activities on campus.

The university has labeled the Trump administration's actions as "" and characterized it as a retaliatory measure, according to reports.

Harvard expressed its commitment to maintaining its capacity to host international students and scholars from over 140 countries, who significantly enrich the university and the nation.

In April, the Trump administration and $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the institution with demands to modify its policies and limit campus activism. In response, Harvard to reclaim the funding.

This action followed Harvard's rejection of a comprehensive list of requirements from the White House, which were ostensibly aimed at addressing antisemitism and reforming university governance, admissions, and hiring practices.

The U.S. government indicated that nearly $9 billion in total grants and contracts were at risk if Harvard did not comply. Trump has also indicated plans the university's tax-exempt status.

Among the demands were requirements for the university to report students deemed "hostile" to American values to federal authorities, ensure departmental diversity of viewpoints, and allow an external, government-approved entity to audit programs that allegedly promote antisemitic harassment.

Other stipulations included prohibiting face masks on campus, discontinuing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and withdrawing recognition from student organizations accused of endorsing criminal behavior, violence, or harassment.

The White House has contended that universities have permitted antisemitism to thrive during protests against the conflict in Gaza and U.S. support for it. The administration stated that "Harvard has failed to meet both the intellectual and civil rights standards that justify federal investment" in a letter dated April 11.

Since assuming office in January, Trump has consistently targeted prestigious universities over campus protests, diversity initiatives, and free speech concerns. Harvard is the seventh major institution to have its funding paused by his administration, following Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.

Columbia was the first to be affected and later agreed to several government demands after losing $400 million in federal funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon remarked at that time that "universities must adhere to all federal anti-discrimination laws to receive federal funding."