Explained | How Harvard losing ability to enroll foreign students impacts Indians studying there

The Trump administration's clampdown on education institutions took a serious turn when it blocked the enrollment of international students into the Harvard University—one of the most eminent colleges in the world.

In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration on Thursday ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification.

“This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the federal agency said.

This leaves us with the question: What will happen to the many Indian students currently studying there?

As per the DHS, these students will now have to either look for transfers to other universities or lose their legal status for continuing to reside in the US.

On the official website of the Harvard International Office, the university has displayed a message saying, "Harvard is committed to maintaining our ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University and this nation. More information and updates will be provided as they become available." There are currently 788 Indians enrolled in the university as both students and scholars.

The Harvard South Asian Association (SAA), a prominent student group, has slammed the move and has reassured students of its “steadfast support...in these turbulent times."

"To all international students: you belong at Harvard and we will stand for you," the SAA said in a social media post.

The university has advised international students to always carry digital or printed versions of their official travel documents with them. It has also provided an email ID ([e-mail]) and a phone number ([phone]) to contact in case of immigration emergencies.

Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to former President Joe Biden, told PTI in this regard: "This policy directly threatens over 500 Indian students at Harvard, forcing them to transfer or leave the US before the next academic year begins. These students, who represent the brightest minds from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, have invested their dreams, finances and futures in a Harvard education—only to have their aspirations shattered by a politically motivated attack.”

“By targeting Harvard, the Trump administration risks driving talent to countries like Canada and the UK, weakening US-India relations at a time when collaboration is more critical than ever,” he also said.

The DHS has accused the university of creating an “unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment." It has also accused it of colluding with the Chinese Communist Party , including "hosting and training members of a CCP paramilitary group complicit in the Uyghur genocide".