Trump administration threatens Harvard's accreditation

The Trump administration has formally challenged Harvard University’s accreditation status and announced plans to subpoena records on its international students.

The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services on Wednesday formally notified the New England Commission of Higher Education that Harvard University may no longer meet accreditation standards, citing violations of federal anti-discrimination laws.

The agencies said there was "strong evidence to suggest the school may no longer meet the commission’s accreditation standards," after the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights last month concluded that Harvard had violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

In a parallel move, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would issue administrative subpoenas seeking records related to international students at Harvard, citing alleged misconduct.

These developments come amid ongoing legal disputes. Harvard has accused the Trump administration of retaliating against the university over curriculum and admissions issues. The university also argues its First Amendment rights are being violated.

On 21 July, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs is scheduled to hear arguments in Harvard’s lawsuit seeking to unfreeze $2.5 billion in blocked federal grant funding.

Harvard said in a statement that it remains committed to defending its community and values against what it calls politically motivated actions by the federal government.

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