The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stern warning to Harvard University, threatening to revoke the institution’s ability to enroll foreign students if it fails to meet federal demands for information related to specific visa holders allegedly involved in campus protests.

On Wednesday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the cancellation of two federal grants worth more than $2.7 million previously awarded to Harvard. The department’s decision follows what Noem described as the university’s noncompliance with mandatory visa reporting and its alleged tolerance of “illegal and violent activities” by certain foreign students.

In a letter sent directly to Harvard, Noem stated, “If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students.”

University Defends Legal Compliance and Institutional Independence

Harvard responded to the federal ultimatum by confirming receipt of Secretary Noem’s letter and reaffirming its commitment to legal compliance. A spokesperson emphasized that the university would not compromise its constitutional rights or institutional independence, even while assuring the government that it will continue to uphold all legal obligations.

“The university was aware of Noem’s letter regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas,” the spokesperson said, adding that Harvard remains committed to both legal compliance and academic freedom.

Protest Crackdown Framed as National Security Matter

This development is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert pressure on institutions accused of allowing or supporting pro-Palestinian protests, which have increased in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

President Donald Trump has labeled many student protesters as national security risks, accusing them of harboring antisemitic views and expressing sympathy for Hamas—a group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.

The administration has already begun revoking hundreds of student visas and has moved to deport foreign nationals allegedly involved in campus demonstrations.

Accusations of Political Targeting and Ideological Overreach

Despite the administration’s assertions, many protest organizers—including several Jewish student groups—reject claims that the demonstrations are antisemitic. Instead, they frame their activism as a moral response to human rights concerns, particularly regarding civilian casualties in Gaza. They have also accused the administration of weaponizing immigration enforcement to silence dissent.

Secretary Noem, however, strongly defended the administration’s actions and directed particular criticism at Harvard’s leadership. Citing the university’s $53.2 billion endowment, she argued that Harvard had the financial capacity to sustain its operations without taxpayer assistance.

“With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos—DHS won’t,” she said, accusing the institution of promoting what she called an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology.”

Ongoing Federal Scrutiny and Threats of Further Action

Harvard is currently the subject of a broader federal review launched by the Trump administration in March. That review includes a comprehensive reassessment of roughly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to the university.

Just last week, the administration issued additional demands, requiring Harvard to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and implement a campus-wide mask ban if it wants to preserve access to federal funding.

Tensions escalated even further this week when President Trump threatened to strip the university of its tax-exempt status. The Internal Revenue Service is reportedly reviewing the legality of such a move, with a final decision anticipated in the coming weeks.

In response, Harvard warned that losing tax-exempt status could have significant consequences—not only for its operational funding but also for students’ financial aid and critical medical research programs that rely heavily on tax-deductible donations and federal support.

Academic Freedom vs. Federal Oversight

The confrontation between Harvard and the federal government raises urgent questions about the future of academic freedom, student rights, and the role of universities in a politically charged climate.

Civil liberties advocates have expressed concern that the administration’s actions constitute an overreach that threatens First Amendment protections and the independence of higher education institutions.

As of now, Harvard appears determined to navigate the mounting political and legal pressures without surrendering its core principles. However, with federal scrutiny intensifying and funding at stake, the university faces a precarious balancing act between defending its values and securing its institutional future.