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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started issuing warning letters to thousands of students in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, sending a shiver of fear down the spines of foreign students in the US.

The letters claim they had breached employment reporting rules, which could lead to the cancellation of their SEVIS records and potential deportation.

Indian students, the second-largest overseas student body in the US, are heavily affected by this administrative move.

Is there any legal implication in the event of OPT enforcement violation?

Almost 69,000 of the 270,000 Indian students studying in the US for the 2022–2023 academic year were enrolled in the Open Doors Program, as per the report.

Administrative miscalculations in filing employment data have placed such students at risk of forfeiting their legal status. 

The strict application of existing OPT unemployment rules is the root cause of the issue. Foreign students can be unemployed up to ninety days during their twelve-month OPT period in accordance with OPT regulations. STEM-OPT extension beneficiaries enjoy an additional 60 days.

They will have to update it on the SEVIS website within ten days when a student's employer is changed, either by a new employer, loss of employer, or change in location. "The recent ICE letters mean that if there is no employer listed on a student's SEVIS record, then their SEVIS record will be terminated.". That is, the student either did not report the OPT work in a timely manner or went beyond the permissible period of unemployment," said Snehal Batra, an immigration attorney at NPZ Law Group.

Looking back to previous policy

Historically, SEVIS records were not typically immediately terminated for such violations, Batra added, but the current administration's aggressive policies make it simpler for students to lose their status.

Before, SEVIS records were not typically immediately terminated for such offenses; but the current administration's strict policies allow students to lose their status more readily more easily.Historically, the Designated School Officials (DSOs) maintained responsibility for ensuring the validity of SEVIS reporting. Currently, "ICE has been going in and shutting down individuals who have acquired over 90 days of unemployment," according to immigration attorney Jath Shao, as quoted by the TNN.

Although US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reinstated student status following record updates, he explained that in some instances, delays by the DSO caused the failure to update SEVIS.

It was an ordinary call on an ordinary morning — one that any parent of a student living abroad would cherish. On May 16, 22-year-old Sahil Kumar phoned his parents from the GO train, reassuring them he was settling in well in Canada, that he missed his mother’s home-cooked meals, and promised to call again soon.

That call, made at 11:49 a.m., was the last time anyone heard from him.

Just three weeks into his new life in Canada, Sahil — a bright young student from the village of Nandgao in Haryana, India — vanished.

He had left his shared accommodation in downtown Hamilton that morning, heading to class at Humber College, located near Yonge and Bloor streets in Toronto. His family says he was full of hope about building his future, frequently staying in touch since his arrival in late April.

Security footage later placed him near Yonge and Dundas around 1 p.m., backpack on, wearing a white collared shirt and black jacket. Shortly after, his phone battery died at 1:31 p.m. And then, nothing.

Days Lost, Questions Multiply

It wasn’t until four days later that Hamilton Police issued a missing person alert. Sahil had left without his passport or laptop and was unfamiliar with Toronto. His recent online activity suggested an interest in the waterfront, but there was no other indication of where he might have gone — or why.

By the time Toronto Police took over the case on May 22 — six days after his disappearance — critical hours had already passed. To his cousin Amit Singh, who lives in the same village in India, the delay is deeply troubling.

“We don’t understand why it took so long for Toronto Police to get involved,” Singh said. “He was last seen in their jurisdiction.”

The family is also frustrated by what they feel is limited access to crucial CCTV footage. Police have explained that unless the case is reclassified as a criminal investigation, privacy laws restrict access to private or commercial camera recordings. This leaves many potentially vital leads out of reach.

Toronto Police confirmed the case remains under investigation but have not reclassified it. They released the surveillance footage in hopes the public might help identify Sahil’s whereabouts.

“There is no indication of foul play,” said Stephanie Sayer, a media relations officer. “But we are very concerned for his well-being.”

The Human Toll of a Missing Son

Back in Haryana, the silence is unbearable. Sahil’s mother has stopped eating, weighed down by worry. His younger brother, who had encouraged him to study in Canada, now blames himself.

“Sahil was never someone who wandered aimlessly,” Singh said. “He was responsible, thoughtful, and always kept his family informed.”

The family has given power of attorney to the Indian Consulate in Toronto to follow the case, but so far, they say the support has been minimal.

“They called us to ask what updates we have,” Singh added. “We were hoping they’d provide answers, not ask us for them.”

The Consulate General of India in Toronto has not responded to requests for comment.

Gaps in the Law and the Experience of International Students

Ontario’s Missing Persons Act, introduced in 2019, was intended to help police investigate disappearances when there is no immediate evidence of a crime. While it allows access to certain records like phone and bank data, it does not cover private surveillance footage.

Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, one of the law’s co-authors, says international students — often young, alone, and navigating a new culture — are especially vulnerable and need more responsive systems in place.

“That vulnerability should influence how we react when they go missing,” Fife told CBC News.

A Family's Hope in the Silence

Even as the days drag on with no new information, Sahil’s father, Harish Kumar, is holding onto hope.

“I still believe the authorities will help us,” he said in Hindi. “We just want to know where our son is.”

The family’s plea is simple: treat Sahil’s case with urgency, transparency, and compassion — the same way any family would hope for if their child had vanished far from home.

Harvard University Class of 2025 graduated in the midst of a battle with the Trump administration over the right of foreign students to enroll.

The class of 2025 graduated on Thursday amid the Donald Trump administration's hardline stance against Harvard University. The Harvard President, Alan M. Garber, was awarded a standing ovation after a veiled comment about the US President, who was attempting to prevent foreign students from attending the university.

Speaking to the audience in the historic Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard, he declared, "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 stated so because the Trump administration just moved to withdraw Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It prohibits Harvard from enrolling new foreign students and impacts nearly 6,800 existing foreign students.

Harvard pushed back by suing. They referred to the administration's decision to bar international students as a "blatant violation" of the law and free speech rights. US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order on Trump's move in a short ruling.

Why is Trump quarreling with Harvard?

The move came months after the US government suspended $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard. This is because the university was not willing to drop its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and screen international students depending on their worldview.

The US State Department declared that Harvard "did not provide an environment on campus that was free from violence and anti-Semitism." The State Department sent a directive to all its consular posts throughout the world to begin scrutinizing visa applicants to Harvard more thoroughly. The screening is set to assist officials in deciding applicants "with histories of anti-Semitic harassment and violence."

Retaking the previous 72-hour deadline, Harvard has now been granted 30 days by the White House to appeal the withdrawal through formal administrative review.

Eco-education is not a trend—it's tomorrow.

As the world's increasing climate problems loom in the horizon, students are gearing up for green careers—and colleges are in a frantic race to catch up, says climate journalist Nibedita Speaks

As the green economy transition begins globally, universities are rising to equip the next generations with the skills and expertise required to create an environmentally sustainable world. From the best global universities to India's leading R&D centers, education based on sustainability is not a niche anymore—it's a necessity.

It is very visible in India. Being one of the world's growth economies with an enormous population of youths, it is positioning itself as a global leader in green jobs and sustainable innovation. Its hallmark economic sectors such as automobiles, energy, manufacturing, tech, and agriculture are also transforming into low-carbon models and need corresponding skills to bridge the gap.

"India can generate nearly 35 million green jobs by 2047," is the opinion of Ankit Tulsyan, Director – Government & Public Sector, EY LLP, and TERI School of Advanced Studies alumnus. "Majority of this will be led by sectors like energy, technology, and agriculture in a strategic manner. Universities have to get ready in no time."

Institutions such as the TERI School of Advanced Studies, the IITs, and the IIMs are at the forefront with inter-disciplinary courses that combine environmental science, policy, business, and technology. These courses prepare students not only for job placement, but leadership in creating a sustainable world economy.

Scholarship, according to experts, needs to be agile and industry-focused. The phenomenon of ecologically friendly solutions across the world's supply chain is nudging companies to seek graduates with practical, solution-based education in sustainability. It is this intersection of learning, innovation, and industry imperatives that is redrawing the map of being career-fit in the 21st century.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has moved to provide unconditional admission to international students studying at Harvard University, after a contentious action by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strip the institution of its certification to host foreign students.

HKUST made the announcement as means to "ensure a smooth transition" for students impacted by the U.S. move, one which Harvard has asserted will disrupt the academic lives of thousands. The university stressed its doors remain open to students now in limbo regarding their legal status and academic continuity in the United States.

The Chinese university's invitation arrives amid increased political tensions between Harvard and the U.S. government. DHS has charged that the Ivy League university refused to act on suspected campus safety issues and alleged Chinese Communist Party ties. Harvard, in turn, has filed a federal lawsuit, labeling the government's response "clear retaliation" for its refusal to bend to federal pressure to roll back diversity policies and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

More than 1,000 Chinese students, according to reports, are enrolled at Harvard, and more than 7,000 international students in total could be affected. The university says the federal action is a violation of constitutional protections and will have an "immediate and devastating effect" on its worldwide academic community.

In a dramatic turn of events, one of America's federal judges yesterday temporarily halted the government from imposing the order of revocation, providing Harvard and its students with relief. But uncertainty looms, and institutions such as HKUST are now intervening to provide an alternative pathway for displaced scholars.

Harvard has also filed a lawsuit to challenge the U.S. government's move to reduce more than $2 billion in federal funding, which it says puts at risk important research programs and academic initiatives.

Notably, Harvard and its students were given a reprieve by a U.S. federal judge on Friday as they were temporarily blocked from enforcing the revocation order.  But there is still uncertainty, thus organizations such as HKUST are now bridging the gap by offering displaced scholars an alternate way.

Furthermore, Harvard has also sued to challenge the U.S. government's move to cut more than $2 billion in federal funding, citing that this threatens vital academic programs and research initiatives.

International students at Harvard are really feeling the heat right now. A federal judge did step in to pause President Trump's controversial plan to cut the university's ability to enroll them, which is a bit of a relief. But honestly? Many students are still living in what they call “pure panic.”

Take Abdullah Shahid Sial, for instance. He’s co-president of the student body and hails from Lahore, Pakistan. He shared with CNN that many of his fellow students are “very clearly, extremely afraid” about their legal status. “They’re just kids, really—teenagers, thousands of miles from home—facing a situation that even lawyers find daunting,” he said. I mean, that really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

Sial is urging the university to step in and help those who might have to transfer to other schools, even suggesting that financial aid should be able to follow those students. But here’s the rub: most colleges have already closed their transfer admissions for the fall semester. And he’s stuck overseas, which adds a whole other layer of stress. Can you imagine not knowing if you’ll even get to go back to campus?

“Harvard is Harvard because it attracts the best minds from around the globe, not just from the US,” Sial pointed out. “And honestly, the US gains so much from having such talent here. But now, they’re just being dehumanized and disrespected.” It’s really heartbreaking.

He also mentioned that the administration and deans have been pretty supportive during this chaotic time, especially with finals wrapping up and graduation just around the corner. But let’s be real—the whole situation is super tense.

Then there’s this new directive from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that could affect over 7,000 students—about 27% of the whole student body—who might have to transfer or risk losing their legal status. Kristi Noem, the Secretary, said they need to make the transfer before the 2025-2026 school year, or things could get serious for them.

Even though a judge has temporarily blocked the administration’s order, Harvard sees this as a clear case of “retaliation” for not following the government’s politically charged requests. They argue that losing their certification would have a “devastating effect” on the community and on the thousands of international students who are crucial to its mission.

Karl Molden, an Austrian student, described this whole mess as being “a pawn in a larger fight between democracy and authoritarianism.” Like Sial, he’s stuck abroad, wondering when he’ll be able to return.

And then there’s Jared, an 18-year-old from New Zealand who just got accepted to Harvard. He said hearing the news felt like a “heart drop” moment. He was in the middle of getting his student visa and planning his move to Boston when everything turned upside down.

Reports indicate that around 788 Indian students might be in a tough spot because of this policy—they could have to transfer or face deportation. On the bright side, those graduating this semester will still get to walk across that stage.

All this is happening against a backdrop of rising tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard. Earlier this year, the university stood firm against federal demands to limit pro-Palestinian protests and to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Because of that, several federal agencies have cut funding, which has impacted research programs at the university. Harvard even filed a lawsuit over $2 billion in funding cuts.

Noem has accused Harvard of not providing records on foreign students, claiming the university has created an unsafe environment for Jewish students and has ties to controversial groups. In response, Harvard President Alan Garber stated they're committed to combating antisemitism and have rolled out new governance policies, but they won’t back down on their core principles, no matter what happens.

Now, the DHS is demanding that Harvard submit various forms of documentation about foreign students involved in protests or any activities deemed “dangerous” on campus in just 72 hours to regain its certification. That’s a lot for students to deal with, and honestly, the uncertainty is really weighing heavily on them.