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Original Date Announced
May 22, 2025The Department of Homeland Security has revoked Harvard University's certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), preventing Harvard from enrolling international students. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, international students with existing F or J visas "must transfer to another university in order to maintain their nonimmigrant status." Secretary Noem represented in a letter to Harvard that the SEVP termination was related to Harvard's allegedly "insufficient response" to DHS's April 16, 2025 records request. Secretary Noem further stated that the termination was meant to "send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students."
Trump 2.0 [ID# 1693]
2025.05.22 DHS - Letter re- Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program DecertificationEffective Date
May 26, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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May 23, 2025
2025.05.23 Complaint - Harvard v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
Harvard College has sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its termination of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. Harvard alleges that the termination is a violation of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act because DHS failed to follow federal regulations governing SEVP (8 C.F.R. §§ 214.4(b)-(h), 8 C.F.R. 214.3(e)(4)(ii), and 214.4(a)(2)), federal statutes governing revocation of licenses (5 U.S.C. § 558), and because the termination was arbitrary and capricious. The complaint seeks to enjoin DHS from terminating Harvard's SEVP certification. President and Fellows of Harvard College v. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 1:25-cv-11472 (D. Mass. filed May 23, 2025).
**Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**
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May 23, 2025
2025.05.23 Order Granting Plaintiff's TRO - Harvard v. US Dept of Homeland Security
Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Harvard's request for a temporary restraining order enjoining DHS and all other defendants from "implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the revocation of [Harvard's] SEVP certification [or g]iving any force or effect to the Department of Homeland Security's May 22, 2025 Revocation Notice." President and Fellows of Harvard College v. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 1:25-cv-11472-ADB (D. Mass. filed May 23, 2025).
*see litigation note above*
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Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Trump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: DHSAssociated or Derivative Policies
- January 29, 2025 EO 14188 § 3(e) directs agencies to report on recommendations for higher education institutions to monitor and report noncitizen students and staff for possible removal
- March 6, 2025 State Department launches "Catch and Revoke" initiative to revoke visas of students engaged in "pro-Hamas" activity
Pre Trump-Era Policies
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April 16, 2025
DHS Secretary Noem sent Harvard a letter claiming that Harvard “has created a hostile learning environment for Jewish students” and requesting information concerning student records. The letter states that ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program could withdraw approval of Harvard as a school that international students can attend if Harvard does not produce records by April 30. The requested information includes:
- Information regarding student visa holders’ “known illegal” or “dangerous” activity;
- Information regarding whether student visa holders have had “disciplinary actions taken as a result of making threats to other students or populations or participating in protests which impacted their nonimmigrant student status;” and
- Information on the coursework of student visa holders to verify that they have taken enough classes to “maintain nonimmigrant student status."
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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Commentary
2025.05 NFAP Policy Brief: The Importance of Immigrants and International Students to Higher Education in America
The National Foundation for American Policy provides an overview of the role immigrant and international students play in supporting higher education institutions in the U.S.
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