Thursday, the United States' Department of Homeland Security issued a statement banning Harvard University from enrolling international students.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, "Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status."
Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem claimed it was due to violent agitators on Harvard's campus, many of whom, she claimed, were foreign students.
“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," Noem said. "Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
The Ban Could Impact Harvard's Hockey Players
Secretary Noem's threat to transfer or lose legal status may put many students, including those who play hockey for Harvard's men's and women's hockey teams at risk.
Last season, Harvard's women's hockey team included four Canadian players, who of whom are eligible to return in 2025-26. Harvard's men's hockey program had seven international players including six from Canada, and one from Finland.
The two Canadian players who were scheduled to return to Harvard next season, Zoe Boosamra and Emily Davidson were name team captains for next year and were both set to wear the "C." There is no indication currently how the Trump administration's threats will impact these players.
Harvard's women's hockey program has a long history of producing elite women's hockey players including Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Angela Ruggiero. That list also includes several international student like Canadian legend Jennifer Botterill and long time Canadian national team standout Sarah Vaillancourt. Current Team Canada netminder and Ottawa Charge goalie Emerance Maschmeyer is another notable Harvard alumni. Botterill is Harvard's all-time leading scorer, and Canadian's Nicole Corriero and Terry Lee Sewchuk sit third and fourth all-time.
Perhaps more troubling than Harvard's record of past stars, is the impact this ban on international students could have on recruits. Currently, Harvard University's women's hockey team has three commitments from Canadian players.
Those commits include Central York Panthers netminder Izzy Whynot, Barrie Sharks forward Kate Stuart, and Nepean Wildcats goalie Serra Yildir.