Trump bars Harvard from enrolling international students amid data standoff

Harvard fights back against Trump’s sweeping data demands and visa restrictions, citing free speech violations and political retaliation.

A closed gate at Harvard University is seen during the daytime in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 18, 2025. Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

The long-standing tensions between Harvard University and the Trump administration erupted into a high-stakes legal battle this month after the U.S. government announced it would prohibit Harvard from enrolling international students. The move followed a heated exchange over the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) sweeping request for data involving thousands of international students — a request Harvard partially rebuffed, citing privacy and legal concerns.

At the center of the clash is a demand from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for detailed records on international students, including coursework, misconduct reports, and even video footage of participation in protests or activities deemed illegal or dangerous. The Trump administration framed the data sweep as a national security and law enforcement matter, while Harvard called it a politically motivated attack on academic freedom.

International students make up roughly 25% of Harvard’s enrollment. By cutting off the university’s ability to issue student visas, the administration delivered a significant blow — one that Harvard argues represents a retaliatory campaign to suppress dissent, curtail free speech, and force ideological conformity on one of the nation’s most influential academic institutions.

A letter and a lawsuit

The initial salvo came in April, when Noem sent a formal letter to Harvard requesting eight categories of information related to foreign students. Harvard responded by providing thousands of records it deemed legally required under federal visa rules. But DHS officials claimed the response was insufficient. The agency specifically sought records tied to criminal activity, threats against faculty or students, and involvement in the "deprivation of rights" of others — language Harvard lawyers argued was vague and legally unsupported.

On May 14, DHS concluded that Harvard had failed to meet what it called “simple reporting requirements” and barred the university from enrolling any new international students. The decision sent shockwaves through higher education, drawing swift condemnation from academic and legal circles.

In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit the following day, asserting that the administration's demands violated the First Amendment and constituted an unlawful intrusion into university governance. The university emphasized that it had met all legal obligations and accused the government of using its immigration and grant-making powers as tools of intimidation.

“This is the culmination of an unprecedented and retaliatory attack,” Harvard said in a statement. “We will not allow the government to dictate what we teach or whom we enroll based on ideological preferences.”

An all-or-nothing legal battle

Observers say the dispute reflects a broader ideological struggle between the Trump administration and elite universities, particularly those perceived as liberal strongholds. David Super, a Georgetown Law professor, characterized the case as “an all-or-nothing fight.”

“Either Harvard will be brought to its knees or the administration will be fully rebuffed,” he said.

The lawsuit underscores growing concerns that the administration is targeting higher education as part of a political agenda. Trump officials have accused universities of fostering antisemitism and promoting so-called “woke” ideologies through diversity and inclusion programs. These allegations have been used to justify investigations and funding cuts.

Harvard, meanwhile, maintains that its diversity initiatives comply with federal law and that attempts to curtail them are unconstitutional.

Privacy, surveillance, and student rights

Beyond the political optics, the case raises fundamental questions about student privacy and the scope of government surveillance on campuses. Federal law generally restricts universities from sharing student records without a subpoena. While international students waive certain rights upon receiving visas, privacy experts say DHS's demands go far beyond standard compliance.

One point of contention is the government’s request for video footage of student protests. Trump officials argue they have the authority to deport foreign nationals who engage in disruptive or illegal activity. But Harvard’s legal team insists that such requests infringe on protected speech and lack statutory grounding.

Steve Bunnell, Harvard’s lead attorney and a former Homeland Security general counsel, pressed the administration to cite specific regulations justifying its demands. DHS’s response — “We are requesting records pursuant to all our authorities” — only heightened concerns that the government was operating without legal limits.

Funding threats and investigations pile up

The visa ban is just one of several pressures Harvard faces. Since Trump returned to the White House, multiple federal agencies have opened investigations into the university. The Justice Department is probing Harvard’s admissions practices under the False Claims Act, which punishes fraud against the government. The department is demanding a trove of documents, including internal communications on affirmative action, the Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions, and the university’s compliance with that decision.

The Department of Education has launched two separate inquiries, one of which claims Harvard may have failed to fully disclose foreign funding sources. Harvard denies this, stating that its reporting practices meet all legal requirements.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and a presidential task force on antisemitism have initiated additional investigations — all since January.

Critics allege that the probes are part of a coordinated campaign to punish perceived ideological opponents. Harvard has cited several of Trump’s public statements and Truth Social posts as evidence of retaliatory intent.

In one post, Trump criticized the university for its $53 billion endowment and tuition costs, arguing that institutions like Harvard exploit students while hoarding wealth. He reiterated those points during a White House press briefing on Friday, warning that other universities could face similar consequences.

“Harvard is going to have to change its ways,” Trump said.

A crisis with national implications

The implications of the visa ban extend far beyond Harvard. Academic leaders warn that targeting international students — many of whom pay full tuition and contribute significantly to research — will harm America’s reputation as a global education hub.

Adam Goldstein of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression noted the precarious legal position universities face. “If Harvard doesn’t send the records, it loses visas,” he said. “If it does, it risks violating federal privacy law.”

The stakes are high not just for Harvard, but for academic freedom nationwide. Universities across the country are watching closely, as the outcome of this battle may determine how far the federal government can go in reshaping higher education to align with political goals.

For now, Harvard continues to fight. It has turned over disciplinary records related to a few students, including two on probation for alcohol-related behavior. But it has resisted demands that it views as excessive and unconstitutional. And it has asked the courts to defend its right to operate without undue interference.

Whether the judiciary agrees could redefine the boundaries of university autonomy in America. But one thing is clear: the conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration is far from over.

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