Foreign students can temporarily continue their academic journey at Harvard - Controversy over Trump's speech at graduation ceremony - Foreign learners can still attend Harvard for the time being – Trump draws criticism during commencement speech
Harvard Granted Temporary Reprieve for Admitting International Students
Last week, a temporary ban on international students admitted to Harvard University, which constitutes 27% of its student population, was imposed by the Trump administration. Federal Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by President Barack Obama, quickly placed a hold on this prohibition. After reviewing arguments from both Harvard's legal team and government representatives, the judge has reaffirmed the decision.
The decision offers temporary respite to international students, primarily from Asia, with 549 students currently enrolled from Germany. A final verdict in the case remains unresolved.
Controversy with President Trump overshadowed Harvard's graduation ceremonies this year. In his speech during the commencement ceremony in Cambridge, west of Boston, Harvard President Alan Garber acknowledged the international graduates, stating, "This is the essence of our university."
For the formal address, Garber invited Stanford University's Professor Abraham Verghese, a physician hailing from Ethiopia. In response to the applause from the graduates, Verghese expressed, "America's greatness, if I may borrow the term, lies in accommodating an immigrant like myself to thrive."
However, international students remain anxious about the prospect of being "debugged and potentially deported," Verghese stated. He made reference to the military coup in Ethiopia in 1974, when the junta shut down his university, reiterating, "Authoritarian leaders often target institutions where truth and reason prevail."
President Trump has been openly disparaging Harvard for several weeks, categorizing it as an "antisemitic, leftist institution." Allegations include pro-Palestinian protests on campus since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023.
The U.S. government has withdrawn billions in federal funding toward Harvard, with intentions to reduce all remaining federal funds. The university has declined to dismantle diversity programs or investigate its students as demanded by the government in mid-April. President Garber did acknowledge instances of individual antisemitism.
Enrichment Data:As of May 2025, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), mandated for institutions to enroll students on F- or J- visa statuses. The administration's allegations encompass noncompliance with Department of Homeland Security records requests and broader accusations regarding the university's campus climate and alleged ties to foreign entities. As of the latest updates, Harvard has publicly challenged the revocation, but the status of court challenges is still unclear. Unless the situation is resolved, current rules necessitate affected students to transfer institutions to preserve their visa status.
- Following the temporary ban on international students at Harvard University, Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by President Barack Obama, has reaffirmed a hold on it, offering students a temporary respite, particularly from Asia where 549 students are currently enrolled.
- During the Harvard graduation ceremonies in Boston, President Alan Garber expressed solidarity with international graduates, echoing Verghese's sentiments about America's ability to accommodate immigrants, as Verghese himself is an immigrant from Ethiopia.
- In light of the political tension between President Trump and Harvard University, Alan Garber has addressed individual allegations of antisemitism but has declined to dismantle the university's diversity programs or investigate its students as demanded by the government.
