Harvard University has announced it will comply with a demand from the Trump administration to turn over employment eligibility forms for thousands of staff, though it will initially withhold records for employees in student-only roles. The decision follows a notice of inspection and subpoena from the Department of Homeland Security, seeking I-9 forms and supporting documents.
The I-9 forms, used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services to verify identity and work authorisation, are subject to federal regulations allowing government access, Harvard noted. The university is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the administration over frozen federal funds and has sued to restore billions of dollars.
The Trump administration has threatened funding cuts over pro-Palestinian protests, climate initiatives, transgender policies, and diversity programmes. Rights advocates have voiced concerns about free speech and academic freedom. Harvard stated it is withholding records for student-only roles pending a review of privacy protection requirements.
According to the New York Times, Harvard is willing to spend up to $500 million to settle the dispute—more than double the amount Columbia University agreed to pay last week. Negotiators are still discussing financial details, and Harvard opposes the appointment of an outside monitor.
The government has also initiated probes into Duke University and the University of California, Los Angeles, freezing $109 million in federal funds for Duke and alleging civil rights violations at UCLA. Neither institution has commented.
