On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively suspending its authority to enroll international students for the 2025–2026 academic year. This decision impacts over 6,700 international students, including approximately 800 from India, who are currently enrolled at Harvard.
Six Conditions to Regain Certification:
The DHS has provided Harvard with a 72-hour window to comply with six specific conditions to regain its SEVP certification:
Submit all records, including electronic, audio, or video, related to any illegal activities involving non-immigrant students over the past five years.
Provide documentation of any dangerous or violent activities by non-immigrant students during the same period.
Share records concerning threats made by non-immigrant students to other students or university personnel.
Disclose any instances where non-immigrant students deprived others of their rights.
Submit all disciplinary records of non-immigrant students from the past five years.
Provide audio or video footage of protest activities involving non-immigrant students on campus within the last five years.
Failure to meet these conditions within the stipulated timeframe would require current international students to transfer to other institutions to maintain their visa status.
Harvard’s Response:
Harvard University has expressed deep concern over the DHS’s decision, labeling it as unlawful and detrimental to its academic mission. The university emphasized its commitment to supporting its international community and is reportedly considering legal avenues to challenge the revocation.
