DHS eliminates Harvard student visa program over antisemitism and protests

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made the decision to eliminate the student visa program at Harvard University due to what they are calling “pro-terrorist conduct” at campus protests. This drastic move comes after Harvard’s alleged refusal to comply with requests for behavioral records of student visa holders.

In a letter addressed to Maureen Martin, the university’s director of immigration services, Secretary Kristi Noem cited Harvard’s failure to provide pertinent information and perpetuating an unsafe campus environment as the reasons for revoking the visa program. The letter specifically mentioned Harvard’s alleged hostility towards Jewish students, promotion of pro-Hamas rhetoric, and implementation of racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies.

Harvard has been given 72 hours to provide the requested information in order to have a chance to regain its visa program for the next school year. Secretary Noem emphasized that this action was a direct result of Harvard’s failure to comply with reporting requirements and send a clear message to all universities about the importance of enforcing the law and combating antisemitism on campuses.

The records requested by DHS include footage of protest activities involving students on visas, disciplinary records of all students on visas in the last five years, and documentation of any illegal, dangerous, or violent activity by student visa holders. Despite repeated requests, Harvard has allegedly provided insufficient and incomplete responses to these demands.

In addition to revoking the student visa program, the Trump administration has frozen nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard and initiated investigations across various departments. At least a dozen Harvard students have already had their authorization to study in the U.S. revoked due to their involvement in campus protest activities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has affirmed the administration’s commitment to revoking visas of individuals disrupting higher education facilities, stating that a visa is a privilege, not a right. The crackdown on university policies comes in the wake of pro-Gaza protests at schools nationwide following Israel’s offensive campaign against Hamas.

As Harvard faces the repercussions of its alleged non-compliance with DHS requests, the future of foreign students at the university remains uncertain. It is imperative for universities to prioritize compliance with federal regulations and promote a safe and inclusive environment for all students on campus.