Latest news with #StudentandExchangeVisitorProgramme
NDTV
8 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Harvard President's Trump Dig Gets Standing Ovation During Graduation Event
Harvard University's Class of 2025 graduated on Thursday amid a deepening standoff between the university and the Trump administration over foreign student admissions. The ceremony saw Harvard President Alan M Garber deliver a veiled but firm message against recent federal actions, earning him a standing ovation from graduates and attendees. Alan Garber, speaking at the historic Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard, addressed the global makeup of the university's student body. "To the Class of 2025, from down the street, across the country, and around the world. Around the world, just as it should be," he said, in a pointed response to US President Donald Trump's moves to restrict international enrollments. BREAKING: At the Harvard Graduation Ceremony moments ago, Harvard President Alan M. Garber just got a standing ovation after taking a subtle shot at President Trump. "To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world. AROUND THE WORLD! JUST AS… — Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 29, 2025 Alan M Garber, 69, a Harvard alum with a PhD and MD from Stanford, became Interim President in 2024 after Claudine Gay's exit over pro-Palestine protest backlash. His remarks came days after the Trump administration revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP), halting its ability to admit new foreign students, a move affecting around 6,800 international students. This followed an earlier freeze on $2.2 billion in federal grants, citing Harvard's refusal to scrap diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes and screen students for ideological bias. Harvard filed a federal lawsuit, calling the move a "blatant violation" of free speech and due process. A judge temporarily blocked the ban, and the White House extended Harvard's deadline to contest the decision from 72 hours to 30 days. Defending the crackdown, Trump told reporters, "Harvard has got to behave themselves," and floated a 15 per cent cap on non-US students. The administration has also accused Harvard of fostering antisemitism, campus unrest, and ties to the Chinese Communist Party, claims the university has firmly denied. The State Department has ordered stricter vetting of all Harvard-bound individuals worldwide, including students and visitors. Visa officers, guided by Secretary Rubio, must review social media and can deny visas for limited or private online activity. "If you are coming here to create problems, you're probably going to have a problem," Rubio said at a press briefing last month. Rubio also revealed that he has revoked hundreds, possibly thousands, of visas over concerns that individuals were engaged in behaviour contrary to US foreign policy.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Deportation fears, rejections: How Indian students can stay ahead amid US visa jitters
With the United States tightening visa scrutiny for international students, anxiety is mounting among Indian aspirants preparing for the fall semester. Amid fears of deportation over minor violations and rising rejection rates, here are some of the most frequently asked questions around the issue. Students are advised to maintain vigilance, academic discipline, a clean digital footprint, and a well-thought-out Plan B that includes Europe and the United How can Indian students avoid triggering red flags during visa interviews and after arriving in the US?Students must be self-aware and disciplined. Be honest in your visa interview, be clear about your academic goals, and avoid coaching that sounds rehearsed or inconsistent. Once in the US, attend all classes, stay in touch with your Designated School Official, and never work without authorisation. Avoid activism that could be construed as political are going to the US to study — never forget that. If you wish to participate in violent protests or write controversial opinion pieces, you will most likely not be welcome a clean digital footprint. Today, your social media is your second passport — it will be reviewed, and anything controversial can be grounds for What should students do if they're admitted to a US university but are unable to secure a visa in time?This is a real possibility now, with consulate backlogs, heightened scrutiny, and delays in visa issuance. Students in this situation must act quickly — inform their university, request a deferral if needed, or explore whether they can begin studies online and transition to campus universities offer hybrid start options or spring intake alternatives. At the same time, students should keep backup admissions in other countries ready. A US admission letter is not a ticket to guaranteed entry anymore; it's a part of a larger, more unpredictable process. Flexibility and planning are the new said, students must not panic. A smart move is to wait for a few weeks. If the situation doesn't improve, then move on to plan B.3. What is the status of Indian students who are already enroled for the upcoming session? Will the US government restrictions have any impact on them?For now, students who already hold valid F-1 visas and are due to begin classes in the upcoming intake should not panic. Unless their university loses its Student and Exchange Visitor Programme certification, or they violate specific visa terms, their status is largely students must be vigilant, ensuring full-time enrolment, academic progress, and regular attendance. Skipping classes, delaying enrolment, or any perceived deviation from the norm could trigger scrutiny. Universities themselves are on alert and may tighten internal monitoring, which makes it imperative for students to stay in constant touch with their international student offices.4. For students who are denied admission to US universities, what options do they have in Europe or elsewhere for various courses?Europe has become far more attractive in recent years, not only for Master's and MBA aspirants, but also for undergraduate students. Countries like Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Ireland now offer high-quality English-taught programmes across disciplines like business, engineering, design, psychology, and for example, offers tuition-free education at public universities. The Netherlands is known for its career-oriented bachelor's programs with strong ties to industry. Scandinavian nations offer progressive education models and generous scholarships. Spain hosts international universities such as the IE University, the IESE, and Europe, countries like Australia, Singapore, and even the UAE have become viable options for globally ambitious students seeking academic quality without the visa anxiety. Given the current anxiety around the US visa process, as a backup, many students can apply to the UK, where most universities have rolling admissions and classes start later in the Will the new visa restrictions apply to students already studying in US universities? The new norms say that action can be taken even for skipping classes or dropping And this is where the real concern lies. The recent policy language from US authorities emphasises enforcement, not just at the point of entry but during the entire course of study. That means even minor violations — unauthorised work, extended leaves, or incomplete course loads — could be grounds for visa revocation or even have to be very careful. Even minor traffic violations can result in a visa being revoked. Universities are being asked to report such violations promptly, placing more responsibility on both students and academic message is clear: the US is watching, and students must treat their visa status as a privilege that can be revoked, not a right that's guaranteed.(Dr Karan Gupta is a career counsellor, educationist, and Harvard Business School alumnus)(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author) advertisement
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian students refuse to give up on Harvard dream despite SEVP hiccup
Hyderabad: Despite the recent revocation of Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) by the US govt, Indian students are resolute in their plans of joining the Ivy League institute, in the upcoming academic term that starts in Aug. The development, however, has left some of them jittery — particularly those who've booked visa interview slots and are just one step away from realising their 'Harvard dream'. Montoring developments "I was in the middle of the visa process when I heard the news. Though I am worried I am certainly not reconsidering my decision. I may, at best, reschedule my visa appointment if the situation does not become clearer within the next week or so," said a student from north India who has secured a MBA seat at Harvard Business School. "For now, I am monitoring the developments through the student community and the university's Slack group (forum for internal communication)," the student added. Shweta Gurnani, chief academic mentor at Gurgaon-based consultancy, Academy One, which specialises in Ivy League admissions, also said that students are anxious but willing to fly out for Aug term. "There are 35 students who have secured admission through us this year. All of them are travelling for their master's in business administration (MBA)," Gurnani said, adding, "Since the university has also assured that it is addressing the issue through legal channels and promised that the academic year will proceed as planned, students are willing to take the risk. On that basis, we too are advising students to stick to their original plans unless there is a significant policy shift in the near future. " Multiple reassurances Harvard University has issued multiple reassurances via its official website and through a series of emails to current students, copies of which are in TOI's possession. In one such email, the university stated: "As many of you may be aware, the University received a letter from the US Department of Homeland Security revoking Harvard's SEVP certification. We understand the extreme anxiety and uncertainty this has caused, and we share your deep concerns. The programmes have since been reinstated. The situation remains highly fluid, and we will keep you informed as further updates become available." Another email read: "Please know that we are committed to supporting you. We want to clarify that students should be able to come to campus. The news of visa restrictions involving Harvard has left incoming executive education participants questioning whether they will be permitted to enter the US. In reality, the proposed action should not affect these individuals." There are currently 788 Indian students (in master's and PhD programmes) at Harvard. Among these, Graduate School of Art and Science, Medical School, and Business School have 2,23,131 and 108 Indian students respectively. Apart from the incoming batch, some current students and recent graduates from Harvard are also feeling the heat of the development. One such student who recently completed his degree said: "We are worried about our job prospects," even as some others sounded more hopeful. "I personally feel things will work out because Harvard cannot afford to lose 30% of its student community," said an Indian student in first year added: "I also don't think it makes sense to single out one varsity. I believe the court will rule in our favour though none of us have full clarity at this point."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will Trump's attempt to ban Harvard from enrolling international students hold up in court?
In the latest escalation of its feud with Harvard University, the Trump administration has targeted the school's permission to enrol foreign students on visas. The government's initially revoked Harvard's certification "effective immediately", prompting a swift lawsuit from Harvard and a temporary restraining order from a federal court in Boston. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security appeared to walk back its initial revocation, now telling Harvard it had 30 days to show it was complying with the agency's visa programme requirements. That same morning, a federal judge kept in place the restraining order she issued last week against the Trump administration. US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs indicated she would issue a longer-term hold soon. The legal battle is being closely watched by other US universities and the thousands of foreigners who study there. Harvard University is the most prominent academic institution to face the Trump administration's ire – and the most prominent so far to push back. There are two main questions at play, lawyers say. Do the government's reasons for targeting Harvard's participation in the student visa programme hold up under the law? And, are those reasons legitimate, or just a pretext for punishing Harvard for constitutionally protected speech the administration dislikes? While legal experts agree the Trump administration could lose if courts find it targeted Harvard for ideological reasons, the government has taken steps that could help it prevail – with broader, thorny implications. Looming over the showdown is a bigger question: Can the US government dictate what universities can teach, who they can hire, and who can enrol? "This could be the type of case that could, on a fast track-basis, flow from the district court to the First Circuit to the US Supreme Court," said Aram Gavoor, an associate dean at George Washington University Law School and a former Department of Justice attorney. America's academic visas on which international students, researchers and faculty rely to study in the US is overseen by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, a subsidiary of the Department of Homeland Security. To participate, universities must receive certification from DHS through the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP). The government last week revoked Harvard's SEVP certification, gutting its ability to host international students and researchers. "In terms of the general authority of DHS, it's quite strong. It's a certifying agency for this programme and there's a variety of bases on which decertification can take place," Mr Gavoor said. Courts tend to be deferential to the agency, as well. "There are certain limits to it, though," he said. The US Constitution's First Amendment, which guarantees free speech for individuals as well as corporations and entities like Harvard, is a powerful protection – and one that Harvard invoked again and again in its lawsuit. If judges determine DHS' basis for withdrawing Harvard's certification stems from ideological differences and violates the university's free speech rights, the court could rule against the government. "A lot will turn on whether the courts conclude whether the First Amendment is implicated here," Mr Gavoor said. References to Harvard's alleged ideological leanings appear throughout the Trump administration's letters and statements - possibly problematic for the White House in court, legal experts say. An 11 April letter ordered the university to make significant changes to its operations, including bringing in a third party "to audit the student body, faculty, staff, and leadership for viewpoint diversity." President Trump attacked Harvard on Truth Social for "hiring almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots and 'birdbrains'". A separate post called for the university to lose its tax-exempt status "if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting 'Sickness'". In her 22 May letter to Harvard announcement about student visa eligibility, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Harvard was "hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies." Harvard argues that the Trump administration's actions are not about combatting antisemitism or keeping Americans safe. Revoking visa certification is "the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students," the school says in its lawsuit. It also alleges the government violated Harvard's right to due process and ignored proper procedures for taking action against it. "The administration is making clear that they are going after Harvard on account of viewpoints it's ascribing to Harvard students and faculty and the institution itself," said Will Creeley, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression legal director. "The smoking gun is very smoky indeed, it's right out there," he said. Harvard must comply with federal non-discrimination laws that bar prejudice based on race, gender, national origin, or other protected classes, but "that doesn't mean that the federal government can dictate acceptable pedagogy in Harvard's classrooms," he said. Decades of legal precedent and a critical 1957 US Supreme Court decision underpin this concept, said Mr Creeley. Despite Harvard's argument, nuances could complicate its case. The US historically screens prospective international students for viewpoints it deems unsafe, which could include allegedly supporting terror or totalitarian regimes. In the past, communist leanings were used to bar foreign academics from the US. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination against Jewish students. Secretary Noem's letter to Harvard in on 22 May invokes these concepts to justify pulling certification, meaning it could "read in a way where all that conduct is potentially unlawful" on the university's part, Mr Gavoor said. "The government could win here," he said. Even if a judge bans the visa policy, Trump may already have won by chilling international enrollment, said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an immigration attorney representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia in a high-profile deportation case. "It's similar to self-deportation. They want people to self-unenrol," he said. At the White House on Wednesday, President Trump floated the idea of capping international students at 15% of Harvard's student body. "We have people [who] want to go to Harvard and other schools," he said. "They can't get in because we have foreign students there." Trump administration seeks to pull estimated $100m in Harvard funding US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social media vetting Trump administration ends Harvard's ability to enrol international students Harvard foreign students face uncertainty as Trump plan to block enrolment is halted - for now
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump's Harvard ban, military parade stir global concern
TWO developments – one unfolding and the other about to take place – are emblematic of President Donald Trump's effect on US politics and policy-making. They also have ramifications for America's soft and hard power standing in international relations. The first relates to the Trump administration's action to block Harvard University from enrolling international students. 'I am writing to inform you that, effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme certification is revoked,' US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a letter shared on X. Noem, despite providing no evidence, asserted that the Trump administration is holding Harvard accountable for 'fostering violence, antisemitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus'. Quite surprisingly, this latest pro-Israel and anti-China target of the Trump administration has drawn Trump supporters in the Western media outlets to join the almost unanimous condemnation of the move. Conservative columnists have described it as a disastrous and unnecessary politically motivated attack on higher education and a damaging blow to America's soft power standing. For now, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the order but the announcement and ongoing legal battle is continuing to generate media coverage around the world. Reaction to charges against Harvard Amid the reports of the widespread anxiety and confusion among Harvard's international student body and incoming cohort, including those from Asia and Malaysia, critics argue that the ban will undermine Harvard's and the broader US higher education system's appeal as a top destination for international talent. Concerned American educationists have noted how international students contribute significantly to their university revenue and research, and they point out that the ban will have severe economic and academic consequences, especially if extended to other universities and colleges with international student enrolments. Whether opponents of this unprecedented action undermining the independence and autonomy of academic institutions will succeed or not, it is clear they are battling an administration that sees this policy development as necessary and consistent with the 'Make America Great Again' (Maga) electoral platform that propelled Trump to power. Apart from its foreign policy components aimed at the retention of American hegemony, a key aspect of this agenda is its broad hardline domestic stance on immigration. This has included attempts by the highly influential Zionist lobby to exert control over universities for permitting pro-Palestine demonstrations condemning the genocidal activities in Gaza. Apparently, Homeland Security authorities view the targeting of student visas, along with the increased scrutiny and deportation of international students involved in the demonstrations, as insufficient punishment, hence the decision to go after Harvard. At the same time, critics of this latest hard-line policy are concerned that it could lead to a waning of US soft power, which has sustained the status and dominant position that the country has in global geopolitics. Others view it as another example of the hypocrisy of American policy in failing to align with the values and image it espouses as human rights champion, liberal democracy model and academic freedom advocate. This concern has been heightened by the free fall in the country's reputation, especially since the beginning of Trump's tariff war against the rest of the world. Reinforcing and parading American hard power To make up for the decline in American soft power, its hard power is being reinforced. On May 20, Trump announced plans that could result in US$540 billion (RM2.30 trillion) being spent over 20 years on the 'Golden Dome' missile defence system to protect the US from ground- and space-based weapon strikes. The project has now received an initial US$25 billion from the 'big beautiful bill', a comprehensive piece of tax-and-spending legislation passed by the House of Representatives. Intended to be more flashy and striking in its public relations impact is an unprecedented US army parade through the streets of Washington DC to commemorate the force's 250th birthday on June 10. Trump had tried unsuccessfully to hold a similar military parade during his first term. This time he has succeeded in organising it on a day to coincide with his 79th birthday. The parade featuring cutting-edge military assets and equipment is intended to show off American hard power and to reflect the Maga agenda aimed at strengthening the US military's superiority and destructive capability. It also ties up with the 'America First' philosophy – the belief that a strong America can project its might and will without relying on international bodies or alliances. The parade can also be seen as an effort to restore the prestige and public image of the American military after its retreat from Afghanistan – a subject that Trump repeatedly brings up in his denunciation of the Joe Biden administration – and its diminished standing in the country and abroad. Though viewed by some as an unnecessary expense and unprecedented politicisation of the military – critics have described it as a display befitting authoritarian regimes – the looming grand display of military strength is also intended to play up to the patriotism of Americans as well as send a message to the world of the alignment of US hard power with Maga. Geopolitical ramifications The Trump-era convergence of declining US soft power with the assertion and reinforcement of hard power is already evident in today's shifting geopolitical landscape. We are seeing the steady erosion of the soft power appeal that America once relied on to lead and sustain strong alliances. Increasingly perceived as an untrustworthy and unreliable bully by Western and Asian allies, the US is making itself isolated in the global system, besides breeding resentment and resistance. Countries such as Canada, Mexico, Denmark and the European Union countries subjected to the soft and hard power tactics of the Trump administration are being incentivised to look for more reliable and beneficial partnerships to the current one with the US. It is entirely possible that they will retaliate by adopting the same transactional approach to international relations that Trump is using against them. Ironically, Trump's blend of hard and soft power policies may be providing advocates of a multipolar global system with the ideological foundation and solidarity necessary for a new international order to emerge more quickly and strongly. Lim Teck Ghee's Another Take is aimed at demystifying social orthodoxy. Comments: letters@
