In a move that sparked campus-wide concern, U.S. President Donald Trump revoked Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This decision effectively bars the school from enrolling new international students, affecting roughly 25% of its student body.
For many at Harvard, the announcement feels like a blow to the university's historic role as an international hub. “It's a terrible choice,” says Tirone Breathwhite, an engineering student. He points out that the United States has long thrived by welcoming talent from around the world and that preserving this diversity is key to innovation and collaboration.
The suspension of SEVP certification raises tough questions for students planning to study, research, or teach at Harvard. International students drive many campus collaborations in fields like science and technology, and their sudden exclusion could slow down major projects and limit cross-cultural exchanges.
Domestic students are also watching closely, worried that the move could reshape the university experience by shrinking classroom perspectives and narrowing networking opportunities. As universities across the country rely on international talent to fuel academic and economic growth, this policy shift may signal broader changes in how global education fits into U.S. policy.
With the decision set to take immediate effect, students and faculty are calling on university leaders and policymakers to find a path forward that balances national interests with Harvard's commitment to diversity and global engagement.
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How do students view Trump's suspension of Harvard's admissions?
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