In May 2025, the Trump administration initiated a significant policy shift by revoking Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution from enrolling international students. This decision impacted approximately 6,800 international students at Harvard, placing their academic futures in jeopardy and igniting widespread controversy across the academic and political landscapes. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the revocation by alleging that Harvard failed to comply with federal policies aimed at campus safety and combating antisemitism. Specifically, the administration accused the university of not adequately addressing antisemitic incidents and of harboring "anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators" on campus. Additionally, President Trump criticized the academic standards of Harvard's international students, claiming that some lacked fundamental skills, stating, "they can't add 2+2" . In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the revocation was a retaliatory act infringing upon the university's First Amendment rights and academic freedom. The university contended that the administration's actions were politically motivated, stemming from Harvard's resistance to federal influence over its academic governance . A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, halting the administration's decision and allowing Harvard to continue enrolling international students pending further legal proceedings . This confrontation between the Trump administration and Harvard underscores a broader tension between federal authority and academic independence. The revocation of SEVP certification not only threatened the educational trajectories of thousands of international students but also raised concerns about the politicization of immigration policies and their impact on higher education institutions. Furthermore, the financial ramifications for Harvard were significant. Despite its substantial endowment, the university faced a freeze on $2.6 billion in federal funding, highlighting the potential vulnerability of even the most well-resourced institutions to federal policy shifts . The Trump administration's attempt to block Harvard from enrolling international students represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of education policy, immigration, and political ideology. As legal battles continue, the outcome will likely have lasting effects on the autonomy of educational institutions and the experiences of international students in the United States.