Harvard Row: Why was Harvard banned from admitting foreign students, what is the impact of Trump's decision on India?

Posted on 23rd May 2025 by rohit kumar

Harvard University will no longer be able to admit foreign students. The Donald Trump administration in the US has blocked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students amid growing conflict with the Ivy League school. After this decision, Harvard will no longer be able to register foreign students for the time being nor will it be able to admit such students. The decision also said that thousands of existing students would have to transfer to other schools or leave the country.

 

Understand 'Ivy League School'

 

'Ivy League School' means a group of eight most prestigious private universities in the northeastern United States, known for their excellent studies, excellence and social prestige. These universities are - Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Yale.

 

Accused of being a supporter of terrorism and conspiring with China

 

The Department of Homeland Security announced the action on Thursday, saying that Harvard has created an unsafe environment by allowing anti-American, pro-terrorism agitators to attack Jewish students on campus. The order also accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party. The order further said that Harvard hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group. The latest incident happened in 2024.

 

Read the order of the Department of Homeland Security.

 

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement, 'This means that Harvard can no longer admit foreign students. Existing foreign students must also transfer from there or lose their legal status and leave the country.

 

What did Trump give as the reason for the action?

 

The government alleges that violent and anti-Semitic activities have increased by foreign students at Harvard. This has endangered national security. The university is promoting pro-Hamas ideology (pro-terrorism ideas). Harvard is also accused of not sharing full information about the activities of foreign students with the government.

 

How long will the restrictions remain in force?

 

Until Harvard meets the reporting standards, it will not be able to admit foreign students. To restore its federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) status, Harvard will have to submit the requested documents. Along with this, it will also have to meet other demands. Harvard has been given 72 hours for this.

 

Is this legally correct?

 

Under US law, the Department of Homeland Security has jurisdiction over student visas. It oversees SEVP. By revoking Harvard's SEVP certification, DHS is essentially preventing the university from legitimately hosting foreign students. Institutions have been removed from the SEVP list before, such actions are usually taken for serious administrative lapses such as loss of accreditation, lack of qualified faculty or closure of the institution. Experts say the current action against Harvard is unprecedented.

 

Indian students will also be affected.

 

Trump's decision will also affect many Indians. Such Indian students studying in Harvard or those who are preparing to take admission there this year will have to face problems due to this decision of America. According to Harvard's official documents, about 1000 Indian students enroll here every year. This year 788 Indian students were enrolled in Harvard.

 

Indians contribute more than 9 billion US dollars annually

Indian students contribute more than 9 billion US dollars to the US economy every year. They strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two countries. Both countries often lead innovation in technology, medicine, and other fields.

 

Students come from more than 100 countries.

Harvard enrolls about 6,800 foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is more than a quarter of its student body. Most of them are graduate students, who come from more than 100 countries.