WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued administrative subpoenas to Harvard University, demanding records related to its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The move comes after repeated refusals by the university to comply with earlier, non-coercive requests for information regarding foreign students on its campus.
DHS officials allege that Harvard failed to provide required documentation about the behavior and immigration status of nonimmigrant students, prompting a formal enforcement action. The subpoenas, issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), seek records, communications, and other documents dating back to January 1, 2020.
“We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way. Harvard, like other universities, has allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus. If Harvard won’t defend the interests of its students, then we will.”
The situation escalated in April when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem formally requested that Harvard turn over specific information related to alleged misconduct by foreign students. After the university did not comply, DHS announced the termination of Harvard’s SEVP certification on May 22. Without SEVP certification, institutions are prohibited from enrolling foreign students on F or M visas.
In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Secretary Noem defended the administration’s actions, stating that the university had been given multiple opportunities to comply on its own terms.
DHS officials also signaled that other academic institutions should take notice of the Harvard case as a warning. Universities asked to provide similar data in the future are being urged to cooperate to avoid similar consequences.
