Washington D.C. – A swift action by the Trump administration on May 22, effectively preventing Harvard University from enrolling international students, has plunged countless international students and their families, who nurtured dreams of studying in the U.S., into significant confusion and anxiety. Particularly, Harvard students currently enrolled, who are in the final stages of seeing their lifelong efforts bear fruit, are grappling with profound frustration as the attainment of their degrees now hangs in uncertainty.

 
DHS Takes Abrupt Action, Students Told to 'Wait for Updates'

Kristi Noem, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced on May 22 the immediate suspension of Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification. This measure forces approximately 6,800 international students at Harvard to either transfer to other institutions or return to their home countries.

This news quietly reached a Singaporean Harvard student via their mobile phone. Requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the student stated, "Harvard was always my dream, and I'm grateful I got to experience it, even if I don't know how much longer it will last." They added, "It's sad to think that such an opportunity might not be available to others." Over 150 Singaporean students are currently enrolled at Harvard, and all are grappling with similar anxieties.

Throughout the day, their phone rang incessantly. Professors checked in, and classmates expressed support. However, guidance from the university was limited. Students were simply told to "wait for updates." Ultimately, the student was forced to cancel a long-awaited trip home.

 
Trump Administration's Move to Combat 'Anti-American, Marxist, Radical Left' Ideologies

This decision by the U.S. administration is seen as the latest step in a broader campaign to reshape the landscape of American higher education. By directly targeting Harvard, one of the nation's most prestigious universities, it has significant repercussions for its ability to attract top talent from around the world.

President Donald Trump has previously asserted that private colleges and universities across the U.S. promote anti-American, Marxist, and "radical left" ideologies. These claims appear to be the backdrop for the recent action.

Commotion began on Harvard's Cambridge, Massachusetts campus around midday. Students were calling their respective embassies and flooding the international student office's email inbox. Another Singaporean student studying at Harvard Law School stated, "The general mood right now is mostly just confusion, and perhaps a little bit of anxiety." They added, "It's all unprecedented, so nobody really knows exactly what's going on."

They further commented, "I've tried to get in touch with the Singaporean embassy in D.C., and I hear that they are looking into some sort of solution, but nothing has been confirmed yet. We are all just waiting to see what happens."

The Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times sought comment from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter. A spokesperson for Singapore's Public Service Division (PSD) informed The Straits Times that 12 Public Service Commission scholars are currently enrolled at Harvard. The PSD is in contact with these students and is closely monitoring developments. They also added that they have reached out to relevant authorities. "For new scholars, we will discuss their study plans and provide necessary support, as we regularly do," the PSD spokesperson said.

A senior Singaporean student at Harvard College remarked that the biggest blow from the situation is its unpredictability. This student stated, "My first reaction was disbelief and a bit of shock." They added, "The hardest part in all of this is the unpredictability, which makes it hard for anyone to plan how their lives will be in the short to mid-term, both at school and in the U.S." They also expressed concern that "friends who are about to graduate are also very worried, given the uncertainty of their visas and job status." The graduating student warned that this decision could have future ripple effects on U.S. higher education, fearing it could impact the scope of what students can say and do.

 
Controversy Over Academic Freedom Infringement: Harvard and Trump Administration Clash

The standoff between Harvard and the Trump administration has been escalating for months. In April, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the federal government's attempts to reshape its academic regulations, admissions policies, and hiring practices, arguing that such actions constituted a clear infringement on academic freedom.

In response, the administration froze $2.3 billion in federal funding for Harvard University and threatened to revoke its non-profit status, citing concerns over campus safety, allegations of antisemitism, and claims that the university was colluding with the Chinese Communist Party. Harvard officials have vehemently denied these accusations.

Harvard University has condemned the Trump administration's move to strip its authority to enroll international students as an unlawful act, warning that it would cause severe harm to the campus and the nation as a whole. In a statement, the university said, "Harvard deeply values the contributions of our international students and scholars who come to campus from around the world to teach, to learn, and to engage in groundbreaking research." They added, "We know the talent, passion, and dedication they bring to their work every day benefit not only Harvard but also the United States and the world."

On May 23, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, initiating a high-stakes legal battle that could have wide-ranging implications for U.S. higher education. In the lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts, the university argues that the action violates the First Amendment, due process rights, and other constitutional protections.

 
Impact on Harvard's Finances and Concerns Among Other Universities

Currently, international students comprise over a quarter of Harvard's total student body, a significant increase from 19.7% in 2010. Many of these students pay the full tuition fees, which amount to nearly $87,000 annually, including room and board. Their presence contributes significantly to the university's financial sustainability.

While Harvard maintains a need-blind admissions policy for all students regardless of nationality, the tuition fees paid by international students help support financial aid programs and faculty research.

The uncertainty unfolding at Harvard is creating ripple effects across higher education. Other universities are watching with apprehension, aware that they could be next. On May 14, Columbia University in New York released a statement expressing concern to its students, faculty, and alumni.

Claire Shipman, Interim President of Columbia University, stated, "Many of our students from abroad are facing new logistical hurdles and challenges to their ability to study at Columbia." She added, "The university has responded with expanded advising, urgent support, and legal resources, but the path forward remains uncertain for these vital members of our community."

Currently, Harvard's doors remain open. However, across the campus and throughout the United States, a generation of students holds its breath, uncertain whether the country that invited them to learn will continue to let them stay. This situation transcends a mere conflict between a university and the government, raising profound questions about America's international standing, academic freedom, and the future of global talent.