How Indians who gained Harvard entry, won't get Harvard degree
Harvard, America's oldest university, has now been stripped of its right to enrol international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This will be a major source of concern for hundreds of Indian students who are currently studying there. These Indian students at Harvard will now have to either switch to another certified institution or face the potential loss of their US immigration status.advertisementWhat goes without saying is that gaining admission to Harvard is very tough. Finding an institution of such repute and switching will be difficult for international students.The Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification to enrol international students, accusing it of promoting antisemitism and ties to China. Harvard rejected all allegations and called the move unlawful and vowed to keep supporting students from over 140 countries.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed the university that its SEVP certification was "revoked effective immediately"."I am writing to inform you that, effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," the letter read.Noem criticised Harvard for fostering what she described as an unsafe campus atmosphere, alleging it is unwelcoming to Jewish students, sympathetic to pro-Hamas views, and driven by what she termed racially biased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.advertisementThe decision is set to impact foreign students in the varsity. Here are the five big points about the impact on international students after the university was stripped of its ability to enrol international students.1. HOW MANY INDIAN STUDENTS ARE STUDYING IN HARVARD?Harvard University hosts between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars annually, according to the varsity website. At present, 788 Indian students are enroled across various programmes.International students make up around 27% of Harvard's student population, with approximately 6,800 enroled. The majority of these students are pursuing graduate-level studies.Students completing their degrees this semester will still be allowed to graduate. According to Noem's letter, the change will apply only to students enroled for the 2025–2026 academic year and beyond. As a result, those in Harvard's Class of 2025, expected to graduate next week, will still receive their degrees.Harvard's admissions go beyond perfect grades and test scores, focusing on a holistic review that considers how applicants think, their motivations, personal growth, and unique qualities such as leadership, creativity, utilising given resources to their best and bouncing back from hardships.2. HAS THE NUMBER OF INDIANS AT HARVARD INCREASED OVER THE YEARS?Harvard has recorded a modest increase in the number of Indian students and scholars in recent years.advertisementIndian students have maintained a consistent presence at Harvard over the years. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, enrolment figures rose from 624 in 2018–19 to 659 in 2019–20.However, the pandemic led to a sharp decline, with numbers dropping to 513 in 2020–21. As conditions improved globally, the count rebounded—climbing to 613 in 2021–22, rising to 816 in 2022–23, and reaching 824 in 2023–24. For 2024–25, the figure slightly dipped to 788, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery overall.US President Donald Trump's crackdown has not just worried students at Harvard. With Indians being the largest cohort of international students in the US, the anxiety goes beyond.3. HOW WILL TRUMP ADMIN'S DECISION HIT INDIAN STUDENTS?While students who completed their degrees this semester will be allowed to graduate, international students who have remaining coursework must transfer to another accredited institution to maintain their legal status in the US.Otherwise, they'll lose their legal permission to remain in the US.At present, students planning to begin their studies at Harvard in the fall of 2025 will be unable to do so unless the government reverses its stance or legal intervention occurs.advertisementSecretary Noem has given the university a 72-hour deadline to comply with specific conditions if it hopes to restore its authorisation to admit international students.These requirements consist of handing over records of disciplining international students by submitting audio and video recordings of protest activities on campus. Harvard had previously refused to hand over this information.4. HOW IS HARVARD RESPONDING TO TRUMP'S MOVE?Harvard strongly criticised the Trump administration's decision to revoke its ability to enrol international students, labelling the move as "illegal".The varsity said that it is working to give guidance to students who are affected by this decision."We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University - and this nation - immeasurably. We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community," the University said in a statement.Harvard University has sued the Trump administration, challenging its decision to bar the Ivy League school from enrolling foreign students.5. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS WITH STUDENTS AT HARVARD?The US government holds broad authority over who can enter and remain in the country—and that power reaches deeply into higher education. Colleges and universities depend on a federal system called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), managed by the Department of Homeland Security, to track international students.advertisementBut schools need government certification to access SEVIS. The Trump administration has revoked Harvard's certification, cutting the university off from the system.The impact is immediate. While many students may still have valid visas, Harvard can no longer update or verify their status in SEVIS—a critical requirement for staying in the US legally.Typically, international students have 60 days after graduation to leave the country or change their immigration status, often by finding a job. Those returning for the next academic term are usually allowed to stay through summer break.Now, with Harvard locked out of SEVIS, it's uncertain whether returning students will still qualify for that grace period. The university's spring term ends May 26, making the situation urgent.Must Watch
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