What Lies Ahead For Indian And International Students? News24 –

In a move sending shockwaves through the academic world, the Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Secretary Kristi Noem, has suspended Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This revolutionary decision immediately bars Harvard from enrolling new international students and places the legal status of nearly 6,800 currently enrolled foreign students in jeopardy.

The order came on Thursday, May 22, 2025, which means that existing international students on F-1 (academic) and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas at Harvard must now either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or face the very real threat of losing their legal right to remain in the United States. While students who are going to graduate this semester will be permitted to complete their degrees, the future for those with ongoing studies has been thrown into shambles for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year.

Why They Did This?

The Trump administration’s justification for this shocking measure centres on Harvard’s non-compliance with multiple requests for “pertinent information” regarding foreign students on campus. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directly accused Harvard of “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies.” This action directly escalates the ongoing ideological conflict between the Trump administration and several elite U.S. academic institutions, with Harvard being a prominent target. Previous clashes have included cuts to federal funding and pointed criticism over the university’s handling of campus protests.

A Warning From The White House

The DHS has given Harvard a mere 72-hour window to comply with specific demands, including the provision of “disciplinary records for international students, plus any audio and video recordings of protest activity,” to potentially reinstate its SEVP status. Secretary Noem stated that “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. 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.”

Havard’s Reaction

Harvard University has denounced the administration’s action as “unlawful” and a direct threat to its core academic and research mission. University officials are working rapidly to provide guidance and support to affected students, and a legal challenge to the decision is widely anticipated. Experts in immigration law have described this revocation as highly unusual, noting that SEVP certifications are typically only revoked for administrative infractions such as failing to maintain accreditation or adequate facilities, not for politically charged reasons.

Implications Of This Move

The implications of this move extend far beyond Harvard’s historic campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With nearly 27% of its student body being international, the university stands to lose a significant portion of its academic and cultural vibrancy. Furthermore, the administration’s explicit warning to other universities suggests that similar actions could be leveraged against institutions perceived to be out of step with the government’s directives, potentially reshaping the landscape of international education across the United States. The uncertainty created for thousands of students and the precedent set by this move are likely to ignite further legal and political battles, raising critical questions about academic freedom and federal oversight in higher education.

How It Will Affect Indian Students 

Havard’s official website says that anywhere between 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars are part of the university every year. Right now, 788 students from India are enrolled at the university.

The move could significantly affect Harvard University, which enrols nearly 6,800 international students, most of them in graduate programmes. Those students may now have to scramble to figure out their next steps