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.
