Harvard’s Ties to the CCP and Why the U.S. Government Is Cracking Down

 

Uncovering the Controversy Behind Harvard’s Chinese Connections and DHS’s Unprecedented Action

Harvard University, one of the world’s most prestigious schools, is under fire for its connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), particularly a group called the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). This controversy has led to a shocking decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll new international students starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. In this article, we’ll break down what’s happening in simple terms, explain the allegations about Harvard’s ties to the CCP, and clarify why DHS is taking such a drastic step. We’ll also look at whether students are directly involved and what this means for Harvard’s future.

What’s the Issue with Harvard and the CCP?

Harvard has been accused of working with the XPCC, a CCP-controlled paramilitary group tied to serious human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region. The XPCC is involved in the Uyghur genocide, where millions of Uyghur Muslims have faced forced labor, mass detention, and cultural erasure. In 2020, the U.S. government sanctioned the XPCC under the Global Magnitsky Act, banning American institutions from doing business with it.

Despite these sanctions, Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health reportedly hosted training programs for XPCC officials in 2019, 2023, and as recently as 2024. These programs, part of the China Health Partnership, were designed to teach Chinese officials about healthcare systems, like how to set up insurance programs. The problem? Some of the participants were from the XPCC, a group the U.S. considers a major human rights violator. Critics argue that Harvard’s actions not only broke U.S. sanctions but also gave legitimacy to a group responsible for atrocities.

Beyond the XPCC, Harvard has broader ties to China that raise eyebrows. Since 2012, the university has received over $1.1 billion in foreign funding, with a significant chunk coming from Chinese sources, including $151 million from foreign governments since 2020. Harvard has also partnered with Chinese universities like Tsinghua and Zhejiang, which are linked to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s military. Some of these collaborations, oddly enough, were even funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, raising concerns about whether Harvard’s research could be helping China’s military.

Are Harvard Students Involved?

The allegations mostly focus on Harvard’s administration and faculty, not its students. The XPCC training programs were for Chinese officials, not students, and there’s no evidence that Harvard students—foreign or domestic—helped run these sessions or knew about them. However, there are signs that CCP influence might be affecting campus life in other ways.

One notable incident happened in April 2024 at the Harvard Kennedy School, where Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng spoke at an event. Students protesting China’s human rights abuses interrupted the talk, but one pro-CCP student allegedly assaulted a protester by forcibly removing them. Shockingly, Harvard disciplined the anti-CCP protesters with probation but let the pro-CCP student off without punishment—and even issued them an apology. This has led some to worry that Harvard is softer on pro-CCP students, possibly due to financial ties to China.

There’s also talk about the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), a group at many universities, including Harvard, that’s often linked to the CCP. Some claim the CSSA might monitor or intimidate students who criticize the CCP, but no hard evidence ties Harvard’s CSSA chapter directly to the XPCC or these training programs. Still, the university’s cozy relationships with Chinese entities—like a $350 million donation from a family tied to the CCP’s United Front, a group that spreads Chinese influence abroad—could create a campus environment where students feel pressure to stay quiet about China’s actions.

Why Is DHS Targeting Harvard?

The DHS’s decision to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification is a big deal. It means Harvard can’t enroll new international students on F-1 or J-1 visas starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Current international students must transfer to other schools to keep their visa status. This move is unprecedented for a school of Harvard’s stature, so why is it happening?

1. Violating U.S. Sanctions: By hosting XPCC officials, Harvard may have broken U.S. sanctions. The XPCC is a designated “bad actor” due to its role in the Uyghur genocide. Training its members, even in something as seemingly harmless as healthcare policy, could be seen as providing “material support” to a sanctioned group, which is illegal under U.S. law. DHS, which oversees visa programs, likely views this as a serious breach.
2. National Security Concerns: Harvard’s partnerships with Chinese universities tied to the PLA have raised red flags. Some of these collaborations involve research that could have military applications, which worries U.S. officials about technology transfers to China. The U.S. government is increasingly cracking down on academic ties to China to protect national security.
3. Congressional Pressure: The House Select Committee on the CCP, led by lawmakers like Rep. John Moolenaar and Rep. Elise Stefanik, is investigating Harvard’s ties to the XPCC and other CCP entities. Their 2025 probe demanded records of Harvard’s dealings with sanctioned groups and raised concerns about “transnational repression” on campus, where students critical of the CCP might face harassment. DHS’s action may be a response to this political pressure, signaling that even elite institutions aren’t above the law.
4. A Warning to Other Universities: The DHS move could be a shot across the bow for other U.S. schools with Chinese ties. By targeting Harvard, a high-profile institution, DHS is sending a message that hosting sanctioned groups or engaging in risky partnerships won’t be tolerated, especially as U.S.-China tensions grow.

Harvard is fighting back, calling the DHS decision “unlawful” and “retaliatory” and arguing it was unaware that XPCC officials were included in the training programs, which were arranged by China’s National Healthcare Security Administration. The university has launched a legal challenge, but for now, the ban stands, and it’s a major blow to Harvard’s global reputation and its 6,793 international students, who make up 27.2% of its student body.

"Letter from House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and House Committee on Education and the Workforce to Harvard University President Alan Garber Regarding Ties to Sanctioned Entities and Foreign Adversaries"

Why This Matters

This situation isn’t just about Harvard—it’s a wake-up call about how foreign influence can creep into American universities. Schools rely on international students and foreign funding, but when those ties involve groups like the XPCC, it raises tough questions about ethics and security. For students, especially those from China, the fallout could mean a more tense campus environment, where speaking out against the CCP feels risky. For the U.S., it’s about balancing academic freedom with protecting national interests.

The lack of direct student involvement in the XPCC programs is a relief, but incidents like the one with Ambassador Xie Feng show that CCP influence might still shape campus dynamics. If groups like the CSSA are pressuring students, it could stifle free speech and create fear among those who want to criticize China’s actions.

What’s Next for Harvard?

Harvard’s legal battle with DHS will likely drag on, and the outcome could set a precedent for how U.S. universities handle foreign partnerships. The university may need to rethink its financial ties to China and tighten oversight of who attends its programs. For students, especially international ones, the uncertainty is daunting—many may have to transfer if Harvard can’t reverse the DHS ruling.

Congress’s investigation, expected to release findings later in 2025, could uncover more details about Harvard’s dealings and whether students face pressure from CCP-linked groups. In the meantime, the controversy has sparked a broader debate about how universities balance global engagement with ethical and legal responsibilities.

Conclusion

Harvard’s ties to the CCP, particularly its training of XPCC officials, have landed it in hot water with the U.S. government. While students aren’t directly implicated, the university’s actions have created a ripple effect, potentially affecting campus culture and international students’ futures. DHS’s decision to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification is a bold move to enforce sanctions, protect national security, and send a warning to other schools. As this story unfolds, it’s a reminder that even the most prestigious institutions must navigate the complex intersection of global politics, ethics, and education.

If you’re a student, parent, or just someone interested in higher education, keep an eye on this case—it could change how universities operate in an increasingly tense global landscape.

Sources:

• Strategy Risks Report, “Beijing Exercises Strong Influence Over Multiple Areas of Harvard University” (2024)
• House Select Committee on the CCP, Letter to Harvard President Alan Garber (2025)
• Radio Free Asia, “Harvard Hosted Sanctioned Chinese Paramilitary Group” (2024)
• The Tribune, “Harvard Trained Leaders of Chinese Entity Sanctioned for Uyghur Genocide” (2024)
• Posts on X by

  @EliseStefanik

  ,

  @SarahPPerry

  ,

  @MsMelChen

  , and others (2024-2025)

Note: This article is based on information available as of May 22, 2025, and reflects ongoing developments. For updates, check credible news sources or follow the House Select Committee’s investigation.

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