Trump administration bans Harvard from taking new international students: What happens to thousands already enrolled?

In a dramatic escalation of federal scrutiny on elite academic institutions, the Trump administration on May 22, 2025, stripped Harvard University of its ability to host international students—sending shockwaves across global academic circles. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), citing alleged failures in federal compliance and accusing the university of harboring antisemitism and fostering foreign influence.

The move immediately jeopardized the visa status of thousands of international students, sparking legal battles, diplomatic concern, and widespread backlash from the higher education community. Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit against the federal government, calling the action politically motivated and unconstitutional. Within hours, a U.S. District Court issued an emergency injunction, temporarily halting the enforcement and allowing international students to retain their legal status—for now.

The decision, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem , has left nearly 6,800 international students in a state of legal uncertainty. Currently, 788 Indian students and scholars are enrolled at Harvard, according to the university’s official data. Historically, this number ranges between 500 and 800 each academic year, making Indian students one of the largest international cohorts on campus.

What began as an institutional crackdown now threatens to become a watershed moment in US education and immigration policy – one that could reshape the path for Indian and other international students targeting elite US universities.
What happens to students currently enrolled?

• You must transfer to another SEVP-certified university or risk losing your legal visa status.
  
• F-1 and J-1 visa holders rely on their university’s certification to remain in the U.S. If that’s revoked, they technically lose their immigration protection.
  
• Students cannot switch to work or tourist visas while staying in the country unless they meet specific eligibility criteria.

Are students being deported immediately?No. A federal judge has issued a temporary legal block on immediate deportations of currently enrolled students.
This means:

• Students won’t be removed from the U.S. right away.
  
• But their status remains in limbo unless Harvard complies with DHS or the court issues further relief.

Can students still graduate?Yes, but only if they’re graduating this semester.

Students finishing their programs in Spring 2025 will be allowed to graduate as planned.
However:

• Students returning for the 2025–26 academic year must either transfer or face potential visa cancellation.
  
• Postgraduate work options like OPT (Optional Practical Training) may be jeopardized if Harvard remains uncertified.

What are your options? 1. Transfer to another SEVP-certified institution

• Check with your Designated School Official (DSO) immediately.
  
• Not all schools may accept mid-year or late transfers.

2. Wait for Harvard’s appeal

• Harvard is working to meet federal demands within 72 hours.
  
• If successful, its certification could be reinstated quickly.

3. Prepare for legal updates

• Monitor court rulings on the case, as further legal protection may follow.
  
• Consult an immigration attorney if you're unsure of your options.

What the U.S. Government Demands from HarvardTo regain its SEVP certification, Harvard must submit the following within 72 hours:

Footage of Violent or Illegal Acts: Any audio/video—formal or informal—of violent or unlawful acts by non-immigrant students, on or off campus.

Threat Records: Documentation of any threats made by non-immigrant students to peers or university staff in the last five years.

Rights Violations: Records of non-immigrant students depriving classmates or staff of their rights.

Disciplinary and Protest Activity: All disciplinary files and any available protest footage involving non-immigrant students.

Five-Year Scope: All of the above must cover incidents from the past five years.
What Harvard is saying
Harvard has called the move “Unjustified and politically motivated... an attack on academic freedom and global education.”
The university has launched legal action and is preparing to submit five years of:

• Student misconduct records
  
• Protest footage
  
• Documentation of international activity

If successful, its SEVP certification may be restored before the fall semester begins. Failure to meet DHS's conditions could strip Harvard of its SEVP certification, forcing international students to transfer or lose legal status in the US.
A broader message to global talentThough the action currently affects Harvard, the message it sends is far-reaching. The U.S. government’s willingness to abruptly alter international student policy—even for the most prestigious institution in the country—signals that no university is immune from political decisions rooted in immigration control.

This move raises a red flag for students from India, China, South Korea, and other countries that consistently contribute high numbers of international students to Ivy League and top-tier U.S. universities.