New Delhi: In a move that could significantly impact hundreds of Indian students, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) — a federal program that allows U.S. institutions to admit international students.
The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday, places the futures of nearly 6,800 international students at Harvard in jeopardy — including 788 students from India, many of whom are enrolled in graduate and doctoral programs.
According to Harvard’s internal data, between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars enroll annually across its various schools and departments. These students now face an urgent need to transfer to another SEVP-certified institution to maintain their visa status. Failure to do so may result in visa cancellation or deportation.
Reason for the Crackdown
In a letter from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the government cited Harvard’s non-compliance with requests for information related to certain foreign students. The university allegedly failed to submit disciplinary records and video documentation linked to recent on-campus protests, which, according to the administration, included pro-Hamas sentiments and criticism of Israel.
Noem also accused Harvard of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that she described as “racist” and “hostile to Jewish students,” and further alleged that the university has ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Harvard has been given 72 hours to meet DHS demands and submit the requested documents if it hopes to regain SEVP certification.
Legal and Unprecedented
Under U.S. law, the DHS is authorized to oversee and revoke SEVP certifications. However, such actions are typically taken in cases of serious academic or administrative failure—such as loss of accreditation or institutional closure—not for political or disciplinary reasons.
Legal experts say this decision marks an unprecedented intervention by a U.S. administration into the operations of a top-tier academic institution, raising questions about the politicization of immigration enforcement and academic freedom.
Impact on Indian Students
The decision has left many Indian students in a state of distress. Most are pursuing long-term academic programs—such as PhDs and multi-year master’s degrees—and a sudden transfer could disrupt research, academic timelines, and professional plans.
Students now face tight deadlines to secure placements at alternative institutions or risk falling out of legal immigration status.
The Indian government has not yet issued an official response, but diplomatic channels are expected to engage with U.S. authorities to safeguard the interests of Indian nationals studying in the United States.
This latest move adds to growing concerns over the Trump administration’s stance toward international students and elite academic institutions, and its broader impact on U.S.-India educational and cultural exchange
