The Trump administration has threatened to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status after the institution rejected changes to its hiring and admissions practices and curriculum.
After refusing to comply to President Trump's demands, federal officials ended up freezing more than $2 billion in grants received by Harvard. And the standoff continues to escalate with reports about the Department of Homeland Security now demanding "detailed records" on Harvard's student visa holders.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told the institution the school must turn over all student visa holders' records, more specifically those "pertaining to illegal and violent activities" if it wants to maintain its Student and Exchange Visitor Program status (SEVP), which allows noncitizen students to study at the university under a specific visa.
In the letter, Noem told Harvard it is a "privilege" to have foreign students but "not a guarantee."
"The United States Government understands that Harvard University relies heavily on foreign student funding from over 10,000 foreign students to build and maintain their substantial endowment," Noem wrote in the letter obtained by ABC News. "At the same time, your institution has created a hostile learning environment for Jewish students due to Harvard's failure to condemn antisemitism."
If Harvard wants to keep its SEVP status, the higher learning institution needs to provide information on student visa holders' "known" illegal and violent activities, threats to students or faculty, and of any disciplinary actions taken as a result of being involved in a protest.
Last month, federal immigration authorities arrested a graduate student at Columbia University for playing a prominent role in the institution's protests against Israel.
"In the event the school fails to respond to this request within the timeframe provided ... SEVP will automatically withdraw the school's certification," Noem wrote in the letter.
A spokesperson for the university said Harvard is aware of the letter, adding that the institution "will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights."
"Harvard is aware of the Department of Homeland Security's letter regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas," the spokesperson said, adding the institution "will continue to comply with the law and expect the Administration to do the same."
Since the Trump administration began targeting student visa holders due to political activity deemed as a threat to national security — such as pro-Palestinian protests — more than 1,000 student have had their visas revoked nationwide in the last week.
In Texas alone, over 50 students were removed from the federal SEVIS database, which tracks student visa compliance. Removal from SEVIS results in immediate loss of legal status, preventing students from working, studying, or appealing the decision from within the U.S.
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