The Trump administration announced on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, that it will issue administrative subpoenas to Harvard University for information regarding its foreign students. This development marks a significant escalation in an ongoing conflict between the federal government and the prestigious Ivy League school. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the request pertains to Harvard’s compliance under the Student Visitor and Exchange Program, which allows the university to enroll international students.
The administration’s scrutiny of Harvard began in April, when it demanded comprehensive records concerning the university’s foreign student visa holders, citing allegations of “illegal and violent” activities. Although Harvard reported that it had provided the requested information, DHS deemed it “insufficient” and subsequently revoked the university’s ability to enroll international students. In response, Harvard initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Last month, a federal judge in Boston issued a ruling preventing the administration from enforcing the revocation.
In announcing the subpoenas, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Harvard and other unnamed institutions, accusing them of enabling “foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus.” She expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “If Harvard won’t defend the interests of its students, then we will.” Noem emphasized that the government’s initial approach was cooperative, but Harvard’s lack of compliance necessitated a more confrontational strategy.
The DHS also cautioned other universities that have received similar requests to take note of Harvard’s situation and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
In its defense, Harvard released a statement reiterating its commitment to following the law. The university characterized the government’s subpoenas as unwarranted but affirmed its willingness to cooperate with lawful requests. “The administration’s ongoing retaliatory actions come as Harvard continues to defend itself and its students, faculty, and staff against harmful government overreach,” the statement read. Harvard aims to protect its community against what it perceives as unfounded retribution from the federal government.
Adding to the tensions, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have threatened Harvard’s accreditation status. On the same day as the subpoenas were announced, these agencies informed the New England Commission of Higher Education that Harvard may have violated federal antidiscrimination laws, potentially jeopardizing its accreditation.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Harvard for allegedly allowing antisemitic harassment to persist, stating that the university has failed in its obligations to students and taxpayers. She urged the commission to ensure that Harvard complies with federal law and accreditation standards. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged continued oversight of Harvard, arguing that failure to protect students undermines the legitimacy of its accreditation.
Since President Trump resumed office in January, his administration has intensified efforts to penalize Harvard, primarily due to claims regarding its handling of antisemitism and its support for Jewish students. Federal agencies have frozen billions of dollars in grants and contracts, while also targeting the university’s international student population. Trump has previously threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and the institution is currently under investigation by multiple federal agencies.
In parallel, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an attempt to counteract its efforts to withhold federal funding. A hearing in this case is scheduled for July 21, 2024. The ongoing conflict underscores the broader tensions between higher education institutions and the federal government over issues of compliance and institutional values.
