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Trump Vs Harvard: An Authoritarian Blow to Students’ Future
In the Trump vs Harvard battle, it’s not just a historic institution under attack – it’s the future of countless international students, global education, and the very soul of academic independence.
It’s been over a year now that the US has been making headlines in ways that are increasingly alarming for students across the globe, including its own. Last year, we witnessed a crackdown when international students in the United States were targeted for participating in campus protests. The government put students at risk of suspension through terrifying actions like deportation, threatening their immigration status, and with it, the American Dream, for more than a million international students. And while concerns around studying in the USA were already mounting, here came yet another big blow: President Donald Trump revokes Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. The revocation disallows the 388-year-old university from enrolling international students.
Trump’s Obsession with Harvard
It began in April 2025, when the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly canceled $2.7 million in grants to Harvard. Shortly after, on April 16, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanded that Harvard provide information regarding alleged criminal activities and misconduct by international students on campus. She warned that non-compliance could put Harvard’s SEVP certification at risk. The Massachusetts-based university declined to provide the requested information and ignored a subsequent official inquiry, leading to the termination of its SEVP certification by the Trump administration.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus”, Secretary Neom said, further warning other schools in her statement. “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”.
The 72-Hour Ultimatum to Harvard
Following this, Harvard was given 72 hours by DHS to meet six strict conditions if it wants to continue enrolling international students. As part of the federal mandate, the university was asked to provide detailed records related to student behavior and campus activities from the past five years. These records include any official or informal documents, electronic files, and audio or video footage about illegal, dangerous, or violent acts by international students, whether on or off campus. This demand reflects growing government scrutiny on university policies regarding international students.
According to a message from Alan Garber, President of Harvard University, the institution has followed the government’s request for records as required by the law. This shows that Harvard is willing to cooperate and also wants to protect its students and staff. He spoke out against the order and committed to fight it.
Harvard Sues Trump Administration
The dispute heated up when Harvard pushed back, calling Trump’s order a clear violation of the First Amendment and due process. They quickly filed a motion to hold off the government’s action, saying it would cause irreparable harm to the university and its students. Harvard stressed that losing international students would be a huge blow, disrupting thousands of lives and hurting the school’s identity. They called the move “undisguised retaliation” and a “one-sided executive action.”
A federal judge stepped in and put a temporary stop to the Trump administration’s plan. Judge Allison D. Burroughs blocked the government from carrying out the revocation, giving Harvard some breathing room. Harvard’s President, Alan Garber, told the community that a hearing is set for Thursday to decide if the hold will be extended. This case is far from over, but for now, Harvard has managed to hold its ground.
Trump Pushes to Pull Federal Support from Harvard
On May 26, Trump announced he is considering cutting off $3 billion in federal grants to Harvard. Instead, he wants to redirect that money to trade schools across the country. Recently, the administration took a bigger step by planning to cancel all government contracts with Harvard, worth about $100 million. This move sharply increases the pressure on the prestigious Ivy League university. The Government Services Administration (GSA) is now asking federal agencies to review their contracts with Harvard. Agencies must decide if these contracts can be canceled or moved elsewhere. The government had already frozen $2.65 billion in federal grants.
“It Felt Like a Rejection of Everything” – A Harvard Senior Speaks Out
The Trump administration’s letter threatening to strip Harvard of its ability to enroll international students left all the students deeply upset. The family of Eduardo Vasconcelos, a senior from Brazil, had just arrived in Boston to celebrate Commencement week when the order was unexpectedly released. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “It was hard to hold back my tears”. He further added, “The order felt like a rejection of the four years I’ve spent at Harvard and an attack on the immense work that international students and scholars contribute to knowledge that benefits both the United States and the world”. This highlights the far-reaching impact of policy decisions on academic diversity and global collaboration.
Will International Students at Harvard Still Graduate?
Yes, those who completed their degrees this semester will still graduate. The new policy will take effect from the 2025-26 academic year, and could force remaining international students to transfer or face deportation unless legal action blocks the policy.
Is the Universityof California Next?
The government is now turning its attention to the University of California. On May 26, a top Justice Department lawyer said there could be big lawsuits against the UC system and other colleges across the country. These lawsuits aim to address claims of antisemitism on campuses. This move shows the administration’s focus is not just on one university but likely to spread nationwide. The pressure is building, and this situation is likely to heat up even more.
We’ll keep updating this page as the story develops. Check back regularly for the latest developments.
CL’s Advice Corner
Harvard’s international student community represents more than 140 countries and makes up about a quarter of the entire student body. With roughly 6,800 international students enrolled, Harvard faces a serious threat if the Trump administration blocks foreign admissions. Right now, the United States is in pure panic as these sudden changes unfold.
Within just over two months, the administration has revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students and threatened to pull billions in federal funding. This has left thousands of students in limbo and the situation is likely to escalate further, spreading to other universities nationwide.
Academic freedom – once seen as a core value in the “land of the free” – is becoming an abstract concept amid political moves. For now, we recommend looking into study destinations where education remains open, protected, and forward-looking.
Planning to study in the USA but feeling uncertain after recent events? We want to hear from you and provide the right guidance. Email us at sparsh.gera@careerlauncher.com.
