Harvard University has sued the Trump administration after the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that it was revoking the Ivy League university's ability to enroll international students.

Harvard called the revocation a "blatant violation" of the US Constitution and other federal laws in a complaint filed in the Boston federal court and said it had an "immediate and devastating effect" on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.

"With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission," Harvard said in its lawsuit.

"It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students," the university added.
US President Donald Trump had expressed  anger over Harvard's rejection of his demand that it submit to admissions and hiring oversight after he alleged the university was a center of antisemitism and "woke" ideology.

"Effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in its letter to the Ivy League institution that has produced 162 Nobel Prize winners.

"As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students," Noem wrote.

"As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies, you have lost this privilege," she added.

Noem's statement also said the steps taken against Harvard should "serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country."

The homeland security secretary said Harvard can regain its ability to host foreign students if it produces a trove of records on foreign students within the next 72 hours.

Her updated request demands all records, including audio or video footage, of foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activity on campus.

"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem added in a statement.

Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program gave the school the ability to sponsor international students to get their visas and attend school in the US.

Harvard rejected the government's allegations and said it would support foreign students.

"The government's action is unlawful," Harvard said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."

The university added that it was committed to educating international students.

Nearly 6,800 Harvard students, more than a quarter of all students at the institution, came from outside the US for the 2024/2025 year.

Beijing criticized the "politicization" of educational exchanges after the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's right to enroll foreign students, many of whom are from China.

"The Chinese side has consistently opposed the politicisation of educational cooperation," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Friday.

"The relevant action by the US side will only harm the image and international standing of the United States," she stressed.

The spokeswoman added that China will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its overseas students and scholars.

Edited by: Karl Sexton