US Imposes Restrictions on Harvard University, Accusing it of Fostering Violence and Antisemitism
In a dramatic escalation of the dispute with the prestigious Harvard University, the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that it would no longer certify the institution to accept international students and existing foreign students would have to transfer or lose their legal status.
According to a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), citing the university’s creation of an “unsecure campus environment.” The department claimed that Harvard’s leadership had allowed “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to harass and physically attack individual students, including many Jewish students and disrupt the once-respected learning environment.
Noem accused Harvard of fostering violence, antisemitism and collaboration with the Communist Party of China on campus. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and profit from their higher tuition fees to fund their multi-billion-dollar endowments” she said.
The move is a significant blow to the esteemed institution, which has long been a hub of international academic exchange. The restrictions come as a surprise, given Harvard’s reputation for academic excellence and its long history of welcoming students from around the world. The university has yet to comment on the development, but it is likely to face a legal challenge and widespread criticism from the academic community.