There are tough times ahead for Harvard University and its leaders. The U.S. government has issued the institution a 72-hour ultimatum to comply with a series of demands. This ultimatum – if that’s what it was – provides Harvard with an opportunity to restore its legal right to enroll international students. Thousands of students are worried about their futures because of this loss.
The Trump administration’s announcement has left many of the university’s international students in a state of chaos and fear. Too many of them suddenly find themselves in danger in both their scholarly and personal existence. Harvard welcomes approximately 6,800 international students, representing more than 27% of the university’s total enrollment. The new interpretation has placed the university under severe duress to personally deliver to the government every single disciplinary record for each non-immigrant student from the last five years.
Among those affected is Jiang Fangzhou, a Chinese public administration student at the Harvard Kennedy School. She expressed her concerns regarding the possibility of needing to leave the country abruptly, stating, “We might have to leave immediately but people have their lives here – apartments, leases, classes and community. These are not things you can walk away from overnight.”
Indian native Shreya Mishra Reddy, a postgraduate student at Harvard Business School, echoed this thought. She described Harvard as “the ultimate school that anybody in India wants to get into,” emphasizing the significance of the institution in her academic journey. Reddy stated, “You have so much to learn from different cultures, from people of different backgrounds. Everybody really valued that.”
Abdullah Shahid Sial is a junior applied mathematics and economics major from Pakistan. He made it clear that he wasn’t happy with the status quo. He remarked, “None of this is what we’ve signed up for,” reflecting the frustration felt by many students who came to Harvard with dreams of success and stability.
Just last month, the Trump administration canceled hundreds of existing student visas. They went so far as to arrest students at universities across the country. Harvard is standing up to the government. Additionally, they’ve filed legal action to dispute the suspension of almost $3 billion in federal grants. The administration has accused Harvard of “coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party,” further complicating the university’s standing.
As international students deal with instability of their status, some have found security in their community. As Jiang Fangzhou wrote, it was often the connection and support among peers that got people through these incredibly trying times.
“I hope Harvard will stand for us and some solution can be worked out,” Reddy said, indicating a collective hope among students for a resolution that acknowledges their contributions and sacrifices.
These recent developments help students in more ways than one. Far worse, they would severely undermine the United States’ reputation and place in the world. Beijing was not pleased with the Trump administration’s direction. They caution that tight controls on international students may discourage future scholars and damage international scholarly cooperation.
The atmosphere on Harvard’s campus has been charged as various groups have engaged in pro-Palestinian protests, showcasing the university’s role as a hub for diverse political expressions. For us, these events serve as just one illustration of the vibrant, entrepreneurial atmosphere now taking root across Harvard. Today, though, external pressures from federal authorities complicate the picture.
With just days to go until the 72-hour deadline, students and faculty both can be seen worried about what’s to come. Every single one of these stakeholders will be looking to see how the administration responds. Thousands of international students, faculty, and staff rely on Harvard not only for their education, but as a home away from home.
