Image Source: Times of India
A seismic shift hit the global academic community on May 22, 2025, as the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students, sending thousands—including nearly 800 from India—scrambling for answers and alternatives.
Key Highlights:
Immediate Impact: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stripped Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, barring the university from issuing the crucial Form I-20 required for F-1 and M-1 student visas. This means no new international students can enroll, and those already on campus must transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or risk losing their legal status in the US from the 2025-26 academic year onward.
Indian Students at Risk: Harvard currently hosts around 788 Indian students, all of whom now face the prospect of abrupt academic disruption. In total, nearly 6,800 international students—about 27% of Harvard’s student body—are affected.
Graduation Exception: Students completing their degrees this semester will be allowed to graduate, but all others must seek transfers or face deportation.
Why the Crackdown? DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited Harvard’s alleged non-compliance with federal demands for records related to international students, and accused the institution of fostering antisemitism, pro-Hamas sympathies, and collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party. The administration framed the move as holding Harvard “accountable” for campus climate issues.
Harvard’s Response: The university called the action “unlawful” and “retaliatory,” vowing to support affected students and seek legal remedies. Harvard is under pressure to comply with federal demands within 72 hours or face lasting consequences.
Wider Implications: The decision has sparked outrage among academic and immigrant communities, with advocates warning it could set a precedent for other US universities and undermine the country’s global leadership in higher education.
Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera, India Today
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