Ukrainian students at risk as Trump targets Harvard university
Up to 20 Ukrainian students and others from abroad may lose their right to study at Harvard University following a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Ukrainian outlet Suspilne reported on May 23.
Students say they learned about the move through media reports. Harvard’s administration has not provided official guidance.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered her department to revoke certification for Harvard’s program for international students and exchange visitors, effectively cutting off access to student (F) and scholar (J) visas for the upcoming academic year.
Those already enrolled, including continuing and newly admitted students, must now either transfer to a different institution or seek alternatives abroad. If no option is found, their education will be put on indefinite hold.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the decision by citing Harvard’s refusal to hand over records related to the behavior of certain international students, which DHS requested last month.
In a letter reviewed by Suspilne’s Washington correspondent, Noem accused Harvard of “fostering a dangerous campus environment hostile to Jewish students and sympathetic to Hamas.”
The DHS announcement also warned: “Let this serve as a notice to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
In response, Harvard called the administration’s actions “unlawful” and indicated it would likely challenge the decision in court.
“We remain fully committed to supporting Harvard’s ability to welcome international students and scholars from over 140 countries,” said university spokesperson Jason Newton.
Suspilne reports that many Ukrainian students are on full financial aid from Harvard, making it nearly impossible to find alternative arrangements on short notice. Some are now considering taking a year off in hopes of resuming studies next year. Others fear losing access to housing, stipends, and meal plans — a major financial burden.
“My father can’t work right now because my mother and grandmother have health issues,” one Ukrainian student told Suspilne. “Being in the U.S., I’m financially independent from my family.”
Noem’s letter also accused the university of twice failing to comply with DHS data requests and gave Harvard 72 hours for a final opportunity to respond, warning of potential criminal or administrative consequences for providing “false or fabricated data.”
Some Harvard faculty members have expressed concern that removing international students would “weaken the academic strength” of both the institution and the broader American academic community.
In the 2024–2025 academic year, Harvard enrolled 6,793 international students, accounting for roughly one-third of its student body.
Last year, the university earned $1.4 billion from student expenditures — representing 21% of its total operating revenue.
The decision follows a series of escalations between the Trump administration and the university.
On May 2, Trump announced plans to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
On April 21, the university filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
On March 4, Trump threatened to strip federal funding from any university that “permits illegal protests,” vowing to “expose and jail agitators.”
On April 15, the Department of Education froze $2.2 billion in long-term grants and $60 million in federal contracts for Harvard.
On April 16, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said Trump wants Harvard to apologize “for its blatant antisemitism.”
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