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Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Harvard vs Trump: What is SEVP revocation row and what's next for international students — all your FAQs answered
Harvard vs Trump: The Donald Trump administration, in its escalating feud with Harvard University, recently dealt the Ivy League school another huge blow — revoking the varsity's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification — which enables a university to enrol international students. Harvard University sued the Trump government, stating that the block had an 'immediate and devastating effect' on the university and over 7,000 visa holders, and a US judge blocked the government's decision for now. But what if the Trump government becomes successful in revoking Harvard's SEVP certification? What does it mean for the international students? LiveMint explains. The SEVP, granted by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allows colleges and universities to enrol international students on F-1 and M-1 visas—the most common types of student visas. Without the SEVP, schools are not permitted to issue the Form I-20, a crucial document that verifies a student's enrollment, and is required for students to maintain their legal immigration status in the US. 'It is very simple: if the status is not reverted to original, then Harvard cannot have international students in the coming year,' Bhuvanyaa Vijay, an immigration lawyer, told The Crimson, before the court ruling. According to The Crimson, international students currently enrolled at Harvard will need to transfer out of Harvard or risk losing their ability to remain in the United States lawfully, if the varsity's SEVP revocation takes effect. The revocation of Harvard's SEVP status does not immediately invalidate student visas. Instead, students will get a grace period to determine how they will respond. Although the Trump administration had not specified the 'grace period', Bhuvanyaa Vijay said that lawyers usually ask such students to 'hurry up,' and 'within 15 days at best,' ask them to try to transfer to another SEVP-certified institution. Those students, who are set to graduate from Harvard University around next week should be eligible to receive their degrees, said immigration lawyers. 'If students have completed all of their graduation requirements, they should still be able to graduate, so that shouldn't be an issue,' The Crimson quoted Nicole Hallett — a immigration rights professor at the University of Chicago's law school, as saying.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
This Word Means: Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
WHY NOW? The ongoing stand-off between Harvard University and the US government under President Donald Trump escalated on Friday (May 23), when the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked its ability to enrol foreign students. Kristi Noem, Secretary of the DHS, posted a letter on X, announcing the decision to revoke the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which is key to the entry and residence of foreign students. Harvard, which ranks among the world's premier higher education institutions, has legally challenged the decision. The US government's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) collects and maintains information so that only 'legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States,' its website states. It also ensures that the institutions accepting non-immigrant students (people living there temporarily) are certified and follow government regulations. Another important element of the process is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an online information system that maintains and allows monitoring of records like SEVP-certified schools, students holding relevant visas, etc. Thus, the revocation also matters for students already enrolled at Harvard, and they would have to transfer to another institution. The SEVP holds information about non-immigrant students in the following visa categories: *F-1 STUDENTS – Non-immigrant students whose primary purpose is to complete an academic course of study at an SEVP-certified school or program. *M-1 STUDENTS – Non-immigrant students whose primary purpose is to complete a vocational course of study at an SEVP-certified school or program. *J-1 EXCHANGE VISITORS – Non-immigrant students selected to participate in a US Department of State-designated exchange visitor program. SEVP certification allows institutions to issue Forms I-20, which is a 'Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status'. These can be issued to prospective international students after admitting them into a program of study. Prospective international students then use the Form I-20 to apply for a visa to enter the United States. After receiving Form I-20, students must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for their US student visa. The receipt of that payment must be presented as proof when one applies for a visa. Once the payment is done and the receipt is collected, students must apply for a visa at any US Embassy or Consulate in their country. However, a visa does not guarantee entrance to the United States; it only permits students 'to arrive and seek permission to enter the country', the DHS website says. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the US port of entry has the final authority to admit entry into the country. In her May 22 letter, Noem referred to an April 16 letter to the university, where she demanded Harvard provide information about the 'criminality and misconduct of foreign students on its campus.' The refusal to comply would result in SEVP termination, she warned at the time. The latest letter includes six stringent requirements to reinstate the SEVP certification within 72 hours. For instance, one asks for 'Any and all audio or video footage in the possession of Harvard University of any protest activity involving a non-immigrant student on a Harvard University campus in the last five years.' The stand-off follows large-scale protests on college campuses against Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip since 2023, deemed 'anti-Semitic' by the US government.
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
US bans Harvard from enrolling foreign students: What it means for Indians
In a dramatic escalation, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University's certification to host international students on Thursday, a move that could displace thousands and jeopardise the future of one of the world's most renowned universities. The decision, announced on May 22, 2025, prevents Harvard from issuing the Form I-20—a document required for international students to obtain or maintain their F-1 or M-1 visa status. Without it, students already at Harvard may be forced to transfer out or risk losing their legal right to stay in the US. Harvard's official figures show that 788 students from India are currently enrolled at the university. In most years, between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars are part of the institution. They too will be impacted. International students make up a large portion of Harvard's community, with nearly 6,800 enrolled, mostly in graduate programmes. DHS accuses Harvard of non-compliance In a letter made public on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the university refused to provide information about its foreign student population. The letter accused Harvard of 'perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist diversity, equity and inclusion policies.' Noem said the university could regain its certification if it complied with a list of demands within 72 hours. These include disciplinary records of international students and recordings of recent protest activity. Harvard says move is unlawful Jason A Newton, a university spokesperson, said in a written statement, Harvard remained '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.' While Harvard has not publicly disclosed whether it will challenge the decision in court, its student-run paper, The Harvard Crimson, said legal action is expected. What SEVP decertification means Losing certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) means Harvard can no longer enrol new international students, nor can it support those already in the US on study visas. 'Current international students will need to transfer out of Harvard or risk losing their ability to remain in the United States lawfully,' wrote students Samuel A. Church, Cam N. Srivastava, and Grace E. Yoon in *The Harvard Crimson*. Bhuvanyaa Vijay, an immigration attorney at the Law Office of Johanna M. Herrero and a graduate of Harvard Law School, said the outlook for incoming international students is bleak unless there's a reversal. 'It is very simple: if the status is not reverted to original, then Harvard cannot have international students in the coming year,' Vijay said. She explained that the revocation doesn't immediately void existing student visas, but the DHS is likely to offer a limited window for action. 'They did not say 15 days or 60 days or two days — nothing,' Vijay said. 'When we get such clients, we tell them to 'Hurry up,' and within 15 days at best, try to transfer.' Graduation unaffected for now Students who have completed their degree requirements this semester can still graduate, said Nicole Hallett, an immigration rights professor at the University of Chicago Law School. 'If students have completed all of their graduation requirements, they should still be able to graduate, so that shouldn't be an issue,' she said. But those planning to join Harvard later this year may have no path forward. Optional Practical Training at risk For graduates on Optional Practical Training (OPT), the decision presents a particular challenge. Jeff Joseph, former vice president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told The Harvard Crimson that transferring schools would automatically end their work rights. 'If you're in a period of Optional Practical Training after your graduation and you transfer to a school, that serves to automatically terminate your work authorisation,' Joseph said. A broader crackdown on Harvard This decision follows a string of actions targeting the university. In April, Harvard refused to comply with federal demands to restrict pro-Palestinian protests and drop diversity-related initiatives. Since then, multiple agencies have frozen grant funding to the university, disrupting research projects. Trump has also suggested removing Harvard's tax-exempt status, which could affect its ability to raise money from donors. The DHS decision takes effect from the 2025-2026 academic year. According to Noem, unless Harvard complies with the federal demands, international students will not be allowed to join the university in the upcoming term.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No more long waits: US opens thousands of slots for this visa type across Indian cities
The US Embassy in India has announced that thousands of student visa appointment slots are available throughout its consulates, which is a major step for Indian students hoping to study in the United States. The goal of this program is to expedite visa processing in advance of the next school year. According to the US Embassy, these appointments are accessible across all US consulates in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The embassy has provided a link directing applicants to a webpage that displays visa appointment availability by country. This move is in line with the embassy's efforts to streamline the visa process and ensure that students can commence their studies in the US without delays. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti emphasized the significance of student visas, stating that the United States is dedicated to increasing the number of applications it receives from Indian students and values the enduring importance of people-to-people connections. The demand for US education among Indian students remains robust. In 2023, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas, more than any other country, marking a record for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the broader US Mission in India processed a record 1.4 million visas in the same year. Read More: Indian e-passport launch: Here's what travellers need to know Before applying for a student visa, applicants must first secure admission to a U.S. university accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which will provide them with a Form I-20. After receiving this form, students must schedule an appointment through the official U.S. Travel Docs website, complete the DS-160 form, and pay the SEVIS fee. The US Embassy urges students to steer clear of third-party agents and use only official sources for information and appointment bookings. This helps maintain transparency and minimizes the chances of receiving incorrect or misleading information. Read more: The Big 5 of India: Where to spot the elephant, tiger, leopard, rhino, and gaur Indian students are encouraged to promptly book their appointments and prepare the necessary documents as soon as visa slots open. The proactive approach by the US Embassy highlights its commitment to fostering educational exchange and strengthening India–US bilateral relations. Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No more long waits: US opens thousands of slots of this visa type across Indian cities
The US Embassy in India has announced that thousands of student visa appointment slots are available throughout its consulates, which is a major step for Indian students hoping to study in the United States. The goal of this program is to expedite visa processing in advance of the next school to the US Embassy, these appointments are accessible across all US consulates in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The embassy has provided a link directing applicants to a webpage that displays visa appointment availability by country. This move is in line with the embassy's efforts to streamline the visa process and ensure that students can commence their studies in the US without Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti made the statement after stressing the importance of student visas. The United States is committed to accepting more applications from Indian students and recognizes the lasting value of people-to-people interactions, he demand for US education among Indian students remains robust. In 2023, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas, more than any other country, marking a record for the third consecutive the broader US Mission in India processed a record 1.4 million visas in the same more: Delhi: Flight delays expected to drop as key runway reopens at Delhi Airport Prior to submitting an application for a student visa, candidates must be accepted into a US university that has been approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which will then issue a Form I-20. Students then need to make an appointment on the official US Travel Docs website, fill out the DS-160 form, and pay the SEVIS US Embassy advises students to avoid third-party agents and rely solely on official channels for information and appointment scheduling. This approach ensures transparency and reduces the risk of more: The Big 5 of India: Where to spot the elephant, tiger, leopard, rhino, and gaur Indian students are urged to move quickly to reserve their appointments and get the required paperwork ready as soon as these visa slots become available. The US Embassy's proactive action demonstrates its dedication to promoting educational exchanges and enhancing India-United States bilateral ties.
