What Harvard’s Standoff With DHS Could Mean for International Students

The Department of Homeland Security is threatening to revoke international student visas from students at Harvard University if the school doesn’t comply with its record requests. The conflict could determine whether student visas are more widely at risk.

Harvard

Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo) AP

Lawmakers and advocates are closely watching Harvard University to see whether international student visas will be the next front in the Trump administration’s war with educational institutions.

The university is at the center of President Donald Trump’s efforts to get back at higher education institutions for their handling of pro-Palestine protests last year, and with nearly 60 other schools in the administration’s crosshairs for their alleged mishandling of antisemitism, whatever happens with Harvard’s ability to host foreign students could have broader consequences.

Cyrus Mehta, an immigration attorney and member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told NOTUS that the Department of Homeland Security’s demand for the student visa holders’ disciplinary records represents “a very dangerous trend” in the Trump administration’s war with educational institutions.