Why Harvard’s International Admissions Are Under Federal Review

In early 2025, headlines broke about the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) placing restrictions on Harvard University’s ability to sponsor international students. While the news sparked panic across some communities, especially for international applicants, the story is more nuanced than a total ban or permanent action. This post breaks it all down — what happened, why, and what this signals for U.S. higher education.

A Quick Recap: What happened to Harvard's International Admissions?

The DHS notified Harvard that it was temporarily prohibited from issuing new I-20 forms, which are required for international students to apply for F-1 student visas. This type of action is highly unusual and stems from an ongoing review of Harvard’s compliance with federal rules under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The restrictions don’t affect currently enrolled international students, but they could block new admits from enrolling if not resolved quickly.

Why Did This Happen?

While the federal government hasn’t publicly detailed its findings, the restriction reportedly relates to a technical or procedural issue involving a program offered through Harvard Extension School — not Harvard College or the graduate schools. This program was allegedly misclassified in a way that violated SEVP rules, prompting DHS to step in and enforce a hold.

Harvard has pushed back, arguing that the issue is being addressed and that the school remains committed to supporting its international community. A temporary legal injunction now allows the university to continue issuing visas while the situation is sorted out in court.

Who Is Affected Right Now?

The primary impact is on new international applicants admitted for the upcoming academic year. If DHS rules against Harvard or extends the block, those students may not be able to get the documents they need in time for visa processing and entry into the U.S.

Current international students at Harvard are not affected. Their visas remain valid, and their studies can continue as usual.

Is This a Harvard-Only Issue?

At the moment, yes — this specific action was taken against Harvard. However, it has drawn attention from colleges nationwide. The federal government has been increasing its scrutiny of higher education institutions, particularly in how they run extension, online, or certificate programs that may serve international students.

Many schools are now re-auditing their internal policies and visa documentation practices to avoid a similar situation.

The Bigger Picture

This development underscores how vulnerable international education pipelines can be — even at top-tier institutions. With nearly 1 million international students studying in the U.S., any sudden disruption, especially involving Harvard’s international admissions, has the potential to create widespread concern.

From program classification to visa processing, the current situation highlights the importance of strict adherence to federal guidelines — and the growing complexity of hosting international students in the U.S.

As of now, this is a developing story. Students, schools, and legal experts are all watching closely as the situation unfolds.

FAQ

Q: Does this affect all Harvard students?

No. This only affects new international students who need F-1 visas. Domestic students are not impacted by this specifically.

Q: What is an I-20 form and why is it important?

An I-20 is a document issued by a school to confirm that a student has been admitted to a full-time program. It's a key requirement for applying for a U.S. student visa.

Q: Is Harvard banned from admitting international students?

No. Harvard can still admit students, but without the ability to issue I-20s, newly admitted international students may not be able to secure the proper visa without legal clearance.

Q: When will this be resolved?

There’s no set timeline. Harvard has already won temporary legal relief allowing it to continue issuing visas for now, but a final decision could take weeks or months depending on court proceedings.

Q: Should other schools be worried?

Yes and no. While this is a specific case, it sends a strong message that DHS is closely monitoring compliance. Many schools are reviewing their own programs to ensure alignment with federal rules.