In a stunning escalation of its ongoing confrontation with Harvard University, the Trump administration has revoked the Ivy League institution’s ability to enroll international students, leaving nearly 6,800 scholars, many of them Indian, facing the possibility of deportation or forced transfer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing concerns over safety and alleged ties to extremist ideologies, has withdrawn Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a move that strips the university of its right to sponsor F-1 and J-1 visas.
Uncertain Future for Thousands of International Students
Among the international students at Harvard, approximately 800 hail from India. These students, who have invested years of effort and significant resources to study in the United States, now face a critical juncture. The revocation means that unless they are able to transfer to another SEVP-certified institution, they risk falling out of legal status and could be deported. The sudden policy shift has sent shockwaves through academic and diplomatic communities alike, raising concerns over the future of U.S. higher education’s global reputation.
Six Demands, 72 Hours: The Federal Ultimatum
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Trump administration has left a narrow window open for reversal. In a 72-hour ultimatum issued to Harvard, federal officials outlined six specific conditions that must be met to regain SEVP certification. These include:
- Submission of all records of illegal activity involving non-immigrant students in the past five years.
- Disclosure of all information related to dangerous or violent conduct by such students.
- Documentation of any threats made against peers or university staff.
- Records of any deprivation of rights perpetrated by non-immigrant students.
- Complete disciplinary records of all non-immigrant students enrolled over the last five years.
- All available footage of protest activities involving non-immigrant students on campus in the same period.
These demands mark an unprecedented federal intrusion into a university’s student oversight, sparking debate about academic freedom, civil liberties, and privacy rights.
Accusations Without Evidence
The DHS statement, endorsed by prominent administration officials, accused Harvard of fostering an environment that permits “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to intimidate Jewish students. Further, the administration alleged, without substantiating evidence, that the university has collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party. Such claims have deepened concerns among observers that the action may be politically motivated rather than grounded in security or educational policy.
A Crisis of Global Consequences
Harvard, which has already reportedly lost $450 million in federal grants amidst the dispute, stands at a critical crossroads. The outcome of this standoff could reverberate far beyond Cambridge, affecting how international students view the safety and stability of studying in the United States. Universities across the country are now watching closely, as the precedent set here could determine the future relationship between federal immigration policy and higher education institutions.
The next 72 hours will be pivotal—not just for Harvard, but for the thousands of international students whose academic futures now hang in the balance.
