Key Takeaways
• Trump administration threatens Harvard with $100M funding cuts and cancels SEVP certification for international students.
• New foreign student visas at Harvard banned; current foreign students must transfer or lose study rights.
• Legal challenges block visa bans temporarily; universities face funding threats tied to policy compliance.
The Trump administration has sharply increased its conflict with American universities, especially during the 2025 commencement season. This new wave of actions has left many students, faculty, and university leaders feeling a deep sense of fear and uncertainty. The most dramatic moves have targeted Harvard University, but the effects are spreading across campuses nationwide. These developments mark a major change in how the federal government interacts with higher education, with serious consequences for international students, research, and the future of American universities.
What Is Happening: The Latest Moves by the Trump Administration
In May and June 2025, the Trump administration took a series of aggressive steps against Harvard University and other higher education institutions. These actions include:
- Threatening to cancel all remaining federal contracts with Harvard, which could cut off about $100 million in government funding.
- Ordering the end of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which is needed for the university to enroll international students.
- Banning all new foreign student visas for study at Harvard, making it impossible for new international students to start their studies there.
- Ordering current foreign students at Harvard to transfer or lose their right to study in the United States 🇺🇸, forcing many to consider leaving the country or finding another school.
- Trying to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, which would have major financial consequences for the university.
These actions have not gone unchallenged. Harvard University quickly filed a lawsuit, calling the administration’s moves “unlawful and unwarranted.” A U.S. district court judge has temporarily stopped the ban on foreign students while the case is being decided. This pause is especially important because more than a quarter of Harvard’s students come from outside the United States 🇺🇸.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The Trump administration’s actions come at a time when universities are holding graduation ceremonies and welcoming new students for the next academic year. The timing has added to the stress and confusion on campuses. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these steps are part of a broader effort to pressure universities that the administration sees as not supporting its policies.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has made it clear that federal support is tied to compliance with administration goals. In a May 28, 2025 interview with CNBC, she said universities can continue their research “as long as they comply with the laws and align themselves with the administration’s goals.” This statement signals that funding and support are now being used as tools to force universities to follow federal policy.
The Impact on International Students
The Trump administration’s actions have hit international students especially hard. Here are some of the main ways they are affected:
Harvard’s International Students
- More than 25% of Harvard’s students are from other countries. The threat to cancel SEVP certification and ban new visas puts their education and future in the United States 🇺🇸 at risk.
- Current students have been told to transfer or leave the country. This sudden order has left many scrambling to find options, with little time to make life-changing decisions.
Broader Actions Beyond Harvard
- Plans to revoke Chinese student visas could affect up to 50,000 students in California alone. This would have a huge impact on the University of California and California State University systems, which enroll many students from China 🇨🇳.
- F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) have received warning notices. If they do not report their employment status within 15 days, they could lose their legal status and face removal from the United States 🇺🇸. OPT is a program that allows international students to work in their field of study after graduation. For more information on OPT and F-1 status, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program page.
- Visa restrictions on officials from countries like South Sudan 🇸🇸 and Thailand 🇹🇭 may disrupt academic exchanges and partnerships, making it harder for students and scholars from these countries to study or work in the United States 🇺🇸.
How Are Universities Responding?
Universities are not standing by quietly. They are using legal action, public statements, and guidance to help their communities deal with these rapid changes.
Legal Challenges
- Harvard’s Lawsuit: Harvard filed a lawsuit to stop the administration’s actions. So far, a judge has temporarily blocked the ban on foreign students, but the legal fight continues.
- Higher Education Associations: Three major groups—the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)—filed a lawsuit on May 5, 2025. They are challenging the National Science Foundation’s cap on indirect cost reimbursements, which they say threatens important research.
Guidance and Support
- ACE Issue Brief: The American Council on Education released a guide on January 17, 2025, to help campuses deal with the “rapidly shifting landscape” of immigration policies. The brief warns that even well-prepared schools can be caught off guard by sudden policy changes and urges them to stay alert and proactive.
The Policy Framework: Executive Orders and Compliance
The Trump administration is using several formal tools to put pressure on universities.
Executive Order on Anti-Semitism (January 29, 2025)
This order requires universities to:
- Monitor and report international students for activities that might make them inadmissible under U.S. immigration law (specifically, INA § 212(a)(3), which covers security and terrorism grounds).
- Work with the Secretaries of State, Education, and Homeland Security to develop ways to watch for and report activities by international students and staff that could relate to terrorism.
- Create a system for removing international students based on these reports.
Funding Threats and Compliance
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has warned that universities could lose federal funding if they do not follow administration policies. This includes research money, student aid, and other forms of support. The message is clear: universities must choose between federal support and their own policies on academic freedom and student support.
The Effects on Campus Communities
The Trump administration’s actions are causing real disruption and fear on campuses.
International Students and Scholars
- Chinese students face special uncertainty because of the plan to revoke their visas. Many are unsure if they will be able to finish their studies or even stay in the country.
- Students on OPT are under new pressure to report their employment quickly or risk losing their status. The short 15-day deadline gives little time to respond.
- Harvard has been accused by the Department of Homeland Security of not doing enough to address anti-Semitism and, without evidence, of cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party. These accusations add to the tension and uncertainty.
Research and Academic Freedom
The New York City Bar Association has been following these developments closely. Their report says the administration is “testing the limits of executive power” and taking “major steps to reshape immigration policy and practice.” This could have long-term effects on how universities operate and on the freedom of scholars to teach and research without government interference.
Expert Opinions and Reactions
Many experts and observers are alarmed by the Trump administration’s actions.
- Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said that pulling funding from research at Harvard is deeply worrying for the future of American higher education and research.
- NBC News White House Correspondent Vaughn Hillyard called the administration’s fight with Harvard “mind-bogglingly crazy,” pointing out how unusual and extreme these actions are.
The Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?
This is not the first time the Trump administration has used immigration policy to pressure universities. During Trump’s first term, executive actions on immigration often came quickly and without warning, causing confusion and uncertainty. The ACE issue brief notes that even well-prepared schools were sometimes surprised by sudden policy changes.
The current situation is even more intense. The administration is using immigration rules, funding threats, and executive orders to force universities to follow its policies. This is a major change from past practice, where universities had more freedom to set their own policies and support international students.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Looking ahead, universities must prepare for more uncertainty and possible new actions from the Trump administration. The ACE advises schools to take proactive steps and stay informed about policy changes so they can respond quickly.
The administration’s focus on international students and scholars suggests that these groups will continue to face special challenges. Universities may need to find new ways to support these students and protect academic freedom.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- International Students: Should stay in close contact with their school’s international office, keep their immigration records up to date, and seek legal advice if they receive any warnings or notices.
- Universities: Need to monitor policy changes, provide clear information to students and staff, and be ready to take legal action if necessary.
- Employers: Should be aware that changes to student visa programs like OPT could affect their ability to hire international graduates.
- Families: Should understand that the situation is changing quickly and that students may need to make difficult decisions about their education and future.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
If you are an international student or work with international students, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your SEVIS record regularly to make sure your information is correct. If you are on OPT, report your employment status as soon as possible.
- Stay in touch with your school’s international student office. They can provide updates, help with paperwork, and connect you with legal resources.
- If you receive a warning or notice from immigration authorities, seek legal advice right away. Do not ignore these messages, as missing a deadline can have serious consequences.
- Follow official government updates on student visas and immigration policy. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides up-to-date information on student visas and requirements.
Conclusion: A Time of Uncertainty and Change
The Trump administration’s recent actions against Harvard University and other higher education institutions mark a turning point in federal-university relations. By tying federal contracts and support to compliance with administration policies, and by targeting international students and scholars, the government is reshaping the landscape of American higher education.
This new approach raises important questions about academic freedom, the role of international students, and the future of research and teaching in the United States 🇺🇸. As reported by VisaVerge.com, universities, students, and families must stay alert, informed, and ready to respond as the situation continues to develop.
For now, the best advice is to stay connected, seek reliable information, and be prepared for further changes. The coming months will be critical for everyone involved in American higher education, especially those who depend on the openness and support that have long been its hallmark.
Learn Today
SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program authorizing schools to enroll international students under federal guidelines.
F-1 Visa → Non-immigrant visa allowing international students to study full-time at accredited U.S. institutions.
OPT → Optional Practical Training permits F-1 students to work temporarily in their field after graduation.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the President to manage federal government operations and policies.
Indirect Cost Reimbursement → Funds that cover expenses not directly billed to research grants but essential for projects.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Trump administration’s aggressive actions against Harvard disrupt international student enrollment, risk $100 million federal funding, and challenge academic freedom nationwide, forcing universities to legally resist and adapt amid unprecedented immigration policy shifts during a critical graduation season.
— By VisaVerge.com
