Homeland Security Subpoenas Harvard in High-Stakes Battle 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a subpoena to Harvard University, seeking detailed records related to its foreign student program amid concerns over campus safety and security. The move, reported on Wednesday, follows a series of disputes between the Trump administration and the Ivy League institution, which has resisted providing requested information.

The subpoena marks the latest chapter in a months-long standoff that began in April 2025, when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem requested Harvard submit records on student conduct by April 30. The department threatened to revoke the university’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows it to host international students, if it failed to comply. This followed the cancellation of $2.7 million in DHS grants and a broader freeze of $2.2 billion in federal funding, citing administrative concerns about campus management.

Harvard challenged the subsequent revocation of its SEVP certification on May 22, 2025, leading to a temporary restraining order from U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs on May 23. The order permitted current international students to remain enrolled while legal proceedings continue. Despite this judicial intervention, DHS has escalated its approach with the recent subpoena, signaling a determination to address the issues it has identified.

The subpoena targets Harvard’s foreign student program, with DHS expressing concerns about campus safety and the need for comprehensive data to assess potential risks. The department has pointed to an internal 2025 Harvard study indicating that a significant portion of students—nearly 60% of those surveyed—reported experiencing discrimination or bias, raising questions about the university’s ability to ensure a safe learning environment. Additionally, DHS has highlighted the university’s ties to international entities, including training programs linked to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a group designated by the U.S. as a human rights concern, as part of its security review.

The request for records, which includes data over a five-year period, comes after Harvard provided some information in April and May but was deemed insufficient by DHS. The department’s June 5 presidential proclamation further empowered it to investigate misconduct by foreign students, framing the subpoena as a necessary step to protect national interests.

University’s Response and Legal Challenges

Harvard has yet to issue a public statement specifically addressing the subpoena as of this afternoon, but its previous legal stance suggests it will contest the demand. The university argued in its May lawsuit that the initial data requests infringed on its academic autonomy and violated constitutional protections, particularly regarding student privacy and free expression. Legal observers note that the case hinges on balancing federal oversight with institutional independence, a debate that could set a precedent for other U.S. universities.

For Harvard’s international students—over 6,800, comprising more than a quarter of its enrollment—the uncertainty persists. Some have faced visa complications, prompting discussions about transferring to other institutions, according to court documents filed in the ongoing litigation.

As the situation develops, both sides appear committed to their positions. DHS views the subpoena as a critical tool to ensure accountability, while Harvard sees it as an overreach that threatens its operational integrity. The outcome of this dispute could influence policies affecting international education across the United States.