The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s certification to sponsor student visas has sent shockwaves through the university’s international community. They are caught in the crossfire of a widening confrontation between the Trump administration and Harvard University, reports the German news outlet DW.
Several Indian students at the prestigious institution have told DW of a prevailing atmosphere of “anxiety and fear” on campus.
Harvard currently hosts over 7,000 international students, including close to 800 from India. Among them is 25-year-old Parthiv Patel, a pre-doctoral fellow at Harvard Business School, who said he has barely slept since the announcement.
“There is anxiety and fear amongst international students,” he told DW. “We do not know whom to turn to or what lies ahead. You can understand our concerns.”
In addition to threatening his visa status, Patel fears the move and potential funding cuts could jeopardise his research. “I am navigating an uncertain future,” he said. “My work relies on Harvard’s resources — access to datasets, my adviser’s mentorship, and the collaborative environment here. If the funding dries up and international students are forced out, what remains?”
The revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) means the university can no longer issue or support F-1 or J-1 visas — both essential for international students to study in the US.
Harvard estimates that more than 7,000 international students, most of them postgraduates, are affected.
Those holding Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT — temporary work authorisations for graduates — face further uncertainty. Transferring to another institution could automatically void their OPT status, undermining their ability to work legally in the US.
Though a federal judge in Boston issued a temporary restraining order on May 23 to block the DHS action, the threat of deportation or forced transfers still looms large.
Ananya Shukla, a student at Harvard Kennedy School, told DW she is now grappling with the possibility of transferring or losing her legal right to remain in the US. “I came here to build a future,” she said. “Now, I’m just trying to hold on to what I have.”
“What if I have to transfer?” she asked. “Will my credits carry over? Will I even get a visa for another school? It feels like my entire future is in limbo.”
She added, “Not only are we uncertain, our parents are worried too. The emotional toll is enormous.”
Many students contacted by DW declined to speak on the record, fearing they were being monitored and that publicly discussing the issue might lead to disciplinary action or jeopardise their futures further.
The dispute stems from the DHS’s demand for access to student records, including details of disciplinary action, protest participation, and any history of threats or violence.
In a statement last week, Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton called the move “unlawful”, and said the university remained “fully committed” to supporting international students.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country,” Newton wrote. “It undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Students have staged protests across the campus, denouncing the administration’s crackdown on international scholars.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration directed US embassies worldwide to stop scheduling student visa appointments. The move comes alongside plans to expand social media screening of applicants.
According to the US State Department, Indian students comprise the largest group of international students at American universities, with over 3,31,000 enrolled in higher education institutions.
Sandeep Sharma, founder of Mumbai-based NextGen Education India, which helps Indian students study abroad, said the developments have created a climate of “fear and uncertainty”.
“Students are in deep shock and depression,” he said. “It’s a stark reminder that even the most well-thought-out plans can be upended by politics. But students are resilient