- Human rights advocates express concerns over free speech.
- Harvard dismisses demands from the Trump administration this week.
- The U.S. government has frozen over $2 billion in funding for Harvard.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Harvard University may lose its capability to enroll international students if it fails to comply with the Trump administration’s requests for information regarding specific visa holders. This marks the latest increase in tensions between the government and the prestigious institution.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Wednesday that her department is terminating two DHS grants that total over $2.7 million to Harvard.
Noem conveyed in her letter to Harvard that the university must provide documentation regarding what she termed the “illegal and violent activities” of foreign student visa holders by April 30.
“If Harvard cannot confirm it is fully compliant with its reporting requirements, the university will lose its ability to enroll foreign students,” Noem said in a public statement.
A representative for Harvard acknowledged receipt of Noem’s letter concerning both the grant cancellations and the scrutiny of foreign student visas.
The spokesperson emphasized that Harvard is firm in its stance to “maintain its independence and uphold its constitutional rights” while also indicating its intention to comply with applicable laws.
During Trump’s administration, universities have faced threats of funding cuts due to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on their campuses.
The administration is actively attempting to deport some foreign demonstrators and has revoked numerous visas nationwide.
“With an endowment of $53.2 billion, Harvard has enough resources to support its own turmoil – DHS will not intervene,” Noem stated, also alleging the existence of an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” at the institution.
Harvard has previously asserted its commitment to combatting antisemitism and other forms of prejudice on its campus while respecting academic freedoms and the right to protest.
Trump’s Enforcement Campaign
Last month, the Trump administration announced it was assessing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard, subsequently calling for restrictions including a mask mandate and elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as conditions for the university’s continued federal funding.
On Monday, Harvard rejected multiple demands that it claimed would relinquish university control to the government. In response, the Trump administration declared a freeze on $2.3 billion in funding.
Trump also threatened on Tuesday to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. Reports from CNN indicated that plans were in motion within the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to withdraw this status, with a final decision anticipated soon.
Harvard argued that there is no legal basis to revoke its tax-exempt status, claiming such a move would be unprecedented and would negatively impact financial aid for students, as well as disrupt essential medical research programs.
Human rights advocates have voiced concerns regarding free speech and academic freedoms in light of the government’s aggressive stance.
The Trump administration has also suspended or canceled funding for other universities, including Columbia, Princeton, Brown, Cornell, and Northwestern, citing similar issues.
It has threatened to withhold funding due to cultural conflicts surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and policies regarding transgender issues.
