The Trump administration announced on Thursday that Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students—including Nigerians—has been revoked.
According to CNN, this unprecedented measure escalates an ongoing dispute between the federal government and the Ivy League school over immigration compliance. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security declared, “Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and current international students must either transfer or forfeit their legal status.”
This action stems from a directive by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who ordered the termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification after the university failed to provide detailed records of international students’ alleged “illegal and violent activities” by the April 30 deadline. The revocation affects nearly 10,000 international scholars—6,793 of whom comprise 27.2% of Harvard’s 2024–25 student body.
Harvard’s administration condemned the decision as “unlawful” and pledged to support its international community. “We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission,” said university spokesperson Jason Newton.
