Key Takeaways
• On June 4, 2025, a federal judge blocked Trump’s ban on Harvard enrolling international students.
• Nearly 6,800 international students, about 27% of Harvard’s body, face uncertainty from SEVP revocation.
• Harvard sued Trump administration citing retaliation and political motives; court hearing on funding set for July 2025.
The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students has sent shockwaves through higher education in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world. On June 4, 2025, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked this ban, allowing Harvard to continue admitting international students while the legal battle unfolds. This move, which affects thousands of students and has drawn global attention, is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to reshape how American universities interact with international students.
Who is affected? Nearly 6,800 international students at Harvard, making up about 27% of the student body, face uncertainty about their future. The ban also impacts students from countries like China, India, and South Korea, who make up a large share of Harvard’s international community. The situation has left students, families, and universities worldwide scrambling for answers and alternatives.
What Happened: The Ban and Its Immediate Effects
On May 22, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the immediate termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This certification is what allows U.S. universities to enroll international students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Without it, Harvard would lose the right to admit or continue educating non-U.S. citizens who need a student visa.
Just over a week later, on May 30, 2025, the Trump administration softened its stance slightly. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a formal notice giving Harvard 30 days to challenge the revocation. The notice stated:
“Your school has 30 calendar days from the date of service of this Notice to submit written representations under oath and supported by documentary evidence, setting forth the reasons why SEVP should not withdraw your school’s certification.”
If Harvard fails to convince the government, it will lose its ability to enroll or keep international students.
On June 4, 2025, Harvard won a temporary victory when a federal judge in Boston issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). This order blocks the ban for now, letting Harvard continue to admit international students while the case moves through the courts.
Why Did the Trump Administration Target Harvard?
The Trump administration has given several reasons for its actions against Harvard:
- Alleged Noncompliance: DHS claims Harvard did not provide requested information about international students, including disciplinary records related to campus protests.
- National Security Concerns: Officials have pointed to “longstanding relationships with China-affiliated organizations,” though they have not made public any evidence.
- Antisemitism Allegations: DHS accused Harvard of not doing enough to address antisemitic incidents on campus.
- DEI Policies: Secretary Noem criticized Harvard’s “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) policies, calling them “racist” and using this as part of the justification for revoking SEVP certification.
President Trump has also made his own demands clear. He suggested Harvard should cap international student enrollment at 15% of the total student body, arguing that American students are being crowded out. In an April 2025 letter, the administration demanded Harvard change its admissions process to prevent students who are “hostile to American values” from being admitted. The administration also wants Harvard to report any foreign student who commits a conduct violation to federal authorities.
Harvard’s Legal Response and Ongoing Lawsuits
Harvard has responded forcefully. The university filed a lawsuit arguing that the ban is retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to let the government control its governance, curriculum, and the “ideology” of its faculty and students. Harvard President Alan Garber called the decision “arbitrary, unlawful, and politically motivated.”
This lawsuit is separate from another ongoing case, where Harvard is fighting the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for July 2025.
The legal fight is far from over. For now, the Temporary Restraining Order means Harvard can keep enrolling international students, but the future remains uncertain.
How Many Students Are Impacted?
The numbers show just how big the impact could be:
- 6,800 international students at Harvard are directly affected.
- 1,856 students are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in the United States 🇺🇸 after graduation.
- 576 students are on STEM OPT, a program that lets science, technology, engineering, and math graduates work for a longer period.
International students make up more than 23% of Harvard’s undergraduate population. Many come from China, India, and South Korea, but Harvard’s international community is truly global.
What Is SEVP Certification and Why Does It Matter?
SEVP stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Program. It is run by ICE and is responsible for managing schools that enroll international students. To admit students on F-1 or J-1 visas, a school must be certified by SEVP. If a school loses this certification, it cannot issue the Form I-20, which is needed for students to apply for a visa.
For more information about SEVP and how it works, you can visit the official ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program page.
Harvard’s Steps to Support International Students
With so much uncertainty, Harvard has taken several steps to help its international students:
- Dual Admission Offers: On April 28, 2025, Harvard College announced that international students could accept admission to both Harvard and a second, non-U.S. university. This is a break from past policy, aimed at giving students more options.
- No Double-Booking in the U.S.: Harvard clarified that students cannot hold a spot at another American university at the same time, both for legal reasons and because other schools might face similar risks.
- Deferral Options: Students who cannot get a visa before the academic year starts can defer their acceptance. However, if they enroll at another university in the meantime, they must reapply to Harvard as transfer students.
- Visa Reinstatement: As of April 28, 2025, all 12 Harvard students and recent graduates whose student visas were previously revoked had their visas reinstated, according to the Harvard International Office.
Global Response: New Opportunities for Displaced Students
The Trump administration’s actions have sparked a global response. Universities around the world are stepping up to offer places to students affected by the ban:
- Germany 🇩🇪: The country’s culture minister suggested Harvard could set up an “exile campus” in Germany, welcoming students from American universities.
- Singapore 🇸🇬: The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School extended application deadlines for its MBA and master’s programs to June 22, 2025, to accommodate affected students.
- Japan 🇯🇵: The University of Tokyo is considering accepting Harvard’s international students on a temporary basis.
- Hong Kong 🇭🇰: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has made it easier for students to transfer, speeding up admission reviews and credit transfers.
These moves show that international students have options, even if their plans to study in the United States 🇺🇸 are disrupted.
Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education
This is the first time in modern U.S. history that a top research university has lost its SEVP certification. The move has alarmed the academic community and raised questions about the future of international education in the United States 🇺🇸.
Key implications include:
- Uncertainty for Students: International students across the country are now worried that their own universities could face similar actions.
- Impact on Research and Innovation: International students contribute to research, teaching, and campus life. Losing them could hurt the United States 🇺🇸 in science, technology, and other fields.
- Wider Scrutiny: The Trump administration has expanded its review of international students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered all U.S. embassies to halt new student visa appointments while the State Department increases screening of applicants’ social media.
- Policy Volatility: The case highlights how quickly immigration policies can change, making it hard for students and universities to plan ahead.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these developments could make the United States 🇺🇸 a less attractive destination for international students, who may now look to other countries for their education.
What Should International Students Do Now?
If you are an international student at Harvard or another U.S. university, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay in Touch with Your DSO: Your Designated School Official (DSO) is your main point of contact for visa and immigration matters. They can help you understand your options and keep you updated on any changes.
- Know Your Visa Options: If your school loses SEVP certification, you may need to transfer to another SEVP-certified school to keep your visa status. You can find the Form I-20 on the official ICE website, which is required for F-1 visa applications.
- Consider Alternatives: If you cannot study in the United States 🇺🇸, look at universities in other countries that are offering places to affected students.
- Use Campus Resources: Many universities have offices dedicated to supporting international students. Take advantage of their services for legal advice, counseling, and academic support.
- Monitor Official Updates: Immigration policies can change quickly. Check official government websites and your university’s announcements regularly.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead
The legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration is ongoing. The Temporary Restraining Order gives Harvard and its international students a reprieve, but the outcome is far from certain. The next steps will depend on the courts, the administration’s actions, and how other universities and countries respond.
This situation is a reminder of how closely immigration policy and higher education are linked. For international students, the stakes are high—not just for their education, but for their futures and the contributions they make to the United States 🇺🇸 and the world.
Practical Takeaways
- If you are a current or future international student at Harvard, stay in close contact with your DSO and follow university updates.
- If you are considering studying in the United States 🇺🇸, be aware of the changing policy landscape and have backup options.
- Universities and students should prepare for possible changes in SEVP certification and visa processing.
- Check the ICE SEVP page for the latest official information on student visa rules and school certification.
As the situation develops, it is important for all stakeholders—students, families, universities, and policymakers—to stay informed and ready to adapt. The Trump administration’s actions have set a new precedent, and the outcome of this case will shape the future of international education in the United States 🇺🇸 for years to come.
Learn Today
SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program that certifies schools to enroll international students on F-1 and J-1 visas.
Temporary Restraining Order → A court order temporarily blocking an action until a full hearing or trial occurs.
F-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa for international students enrolled in academic programs in the United States.
Optional Practical Training → Work authorization for F-1 students post-graduation allowing practical experience related to their studies.
Designated School Official → An authorized school representative managing international student immigration and visa issues.
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s ban on Harvard enrolling international students. Nearly 6,800 students face uncertainty amid political and legal battles impacting U.S. higher education and global student mobility. Harvard fights back, highlighting constitutional rights and academic freedom at stake.
— By VisaVerge.com
