DHS Says Harvard Conducts ‘Pro-Terror’ Activities
May 23, 2025—As part of its ongoing battle to control U.S. federally-funded universities, the Trump Administration amplified its criticism of Harvard University on Thursday, accusing the 388-year old U.S. institution of carrying out “pro-terrorist conduct.” Harvard University responded forcefully, saying the government is trying to “control whom we hire and what we teach.” The university was quick to file a lawsuit, which a federal judge supported with a restraining order against the government on Friday. But the federal action leaves both the university and students in limbo.
Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security decertify the institution’s student and exchange visitors program. “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. She said it’s a “privilege not a right” to student in the United States.
The decision is another chill on free speech in America.
Since the Israel-Hamas War started on October 7, 2025, protests have erupted on college campuses in reaction to Israel’s disproportional response. Furthermore, evidence of genocidal intent and actions continue to mount. The U.S. Congress and the White House have enacted numerous measures to crack down on speech and held multiple hearings to examine the impact on Jewish students.
A Battle of Federal Control Over Universities Brewing
The Trump Administration had previously given the university a list of demands, including control of its academic programming, that it drop Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and a list of records of disciplinary actions its taken involving international students.
The revocation of the student exchange program comes on the heels of the government’s decision to block $2.65 billion in government funding.
In its statement this week, DHS said Jewish students feel discriminated against on campus. Moreover, the department said the climate is “toxic.”
No Evidence of Physical Harm by Foreign Students
To date, there is no definitive evidence—at least publicly and readily available to the GER—that any Harvard student has been physically harmed by foreign students. However, Harvard settled a lawsuit by Alexander “Shabbos” Kestenbaum alleging antisemitism in January with a student. The details are kept confidential under the settlement agreement. The parties dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the student cannot reopen it, according to the Harvard Crimson.
In The Courts
The president and fellows of Harvard College fired back on Friday, filing a 72-page lawsuit in federal court. It names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, DHS, Noem, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the head of the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitors Center as Plaintiffs.
“This revocation is a blatant violation of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. 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.”
Judge Blocks Trump Administration
Today, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration’s request to bar Harvard from enrolling foreign students. Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against the government’s order, writing that Harvard has sufficiently shown that injury to its university would be “immediate and irreparable” before the courts would have a chance to hear the case.
Impact on Students and Universities
The decision has left international students in limbo, not knowing whether they can continue studies.
It’s a significant blow to universities as well. Foreign students provide U.S. universities a significant source of the income they take in from tuition. The esteem of American universities is also a source of soft power—the use of economic, educational, and cultural tools to strengthen a country’s global influence.
The federal action to decertify the program and revoke F-1 and J-1 visas for international students enrolled there impacts roughly 7,000 students, a quarter of Harvard’s student body.
“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,” the lawsuit said.
