The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the Trump administration asked Harvard University for a slew of information, including email usernames for foreign students who have been expelled since 2016.

While Harvard refused to comply with the request, it appears that President Donald Trump is getting the last laugh by taking new action against the university

Harvard's foreign enrollment privilege suspended

According to the New York Times, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem informed that college that it will no longer be allowed to enroll foreign students.

"I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," Noem was quoted as writing in a letter.

The Times noted that the change will impact those who have applied to attend Harvard as well as the roughly 6,800 who are currently enrolled.

While foreign members of Harvard's student body will still be eligible to study in the United States, they must transfer to other schools.

DHS slams school's lack of action

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later expanded on Noem's message in a social media post which read, "This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus."

This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.

It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to… pic.twitter.com/D0lVQJBlCe

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 22, 2025

"It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused," DHS pointed out.

The department went on to say that Harvard has lost its "Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law."

Details of foreign students, donors sought

In its April report, the Journal noted that Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed concern that Harvard could be "manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities."

Along with information about foreign students, McMahon requested the identities of those involved in each of Harvard’s foreign source gifts, grants and contracts.

What's more, the secretary sought copies of all communications sent between the college and foreign governments or individuals.