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In a stunning escalation of its clash with academia, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday it will subpoena Harvard University for records related to foreign students, marking a new front in the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign against what it deems “uncooperative elite institutions.”

The move follows repeated refusals by Harvard to hand over data tied to its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. In a blistering statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Harvard of enabling foreign students to abuse visa privileges and even promote violence and terrorism on campus.

“We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard,” McLaughlin stated. “Now, we have to do things the hard way.”

Harvard Fires Back: “Unwarranted,” “Retaliatory”

Harvard, unwavering in its defiance, dismissed the subpoenas as baseless. University spokesperson Jason Newton called the administration’s actions “unwarranted government overreach” and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to legal compliance and institutional autonomy.

“Harvard remains committed to protecting its students, faculty, and values from unfounded retribution,” Newton said.

The legal and political storm between the Ivy League institution and President Trump has intensified since his return to office. The administration has slammed Harvard’s DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs, frozen $2.2 billion in grant funding, and threatened its ability to enroll foreign students — prompting a flurry of lawsuits and federal injunctions.

Broader Battle: Admissions, Antisemitism, and Federal Control

The subpoena announcement adds yet another layer to a complex legal saga. The Justice Department is investigating Harvard under the False Claims Act, probing its admissions practices and seeking influence over faculty hiring and student demographics.

Adding fuel to the fire, the administration accused Harvard last month of failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from campus harassment following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. DHS claims the university may lose all federal funding if it does not comply with demands to address antisemitism.

Harvard has pushed back, citing progress and improved campus climate, with Jewish students reporting better conditions in recent months.

DHS Warning: “Other Schools Should Take Note”

The Trump administration made clear this is not just about Harvard. Wednesday’s message carried an ominous undertone for other universities that might consider resistance:

“Other academic institutions should take note of Harvard’s actions and the consequences of noncompliance,” the statement warned.

With the court date for the funding lawsuit approaching, and international students still making up roughly 25% of Harvard’s population, the fate of the university’s global academic reach now hangs in the balance.