Harvard University has taken legal action against the Trump administration following an unexpected order blocking the enrollment of international students, a move that has especially affected Chinese nationals at the prestigious institution.
According to a report by USA Today, the federal directive accuses Harvard of working in coordination with the Chinese Communist Party.
The policy threatens to strip legal status from foreign students, forcing many to transfer or face deportation.
In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit, describing the policy as “unlawful” and reaffirming its dedication to global education.
Chinese students, who constitute the largest group of foreign nationals at Harvard, are among the most affected.
The sudden policy shift has caused widespread distress within the university community.
Zhang, a 24-year-old physics PhD student, voiced deep concern over safety and immigration enforcement.
“I think the Chinese community definitely feels like a more targeted entity compared to other groups,” he said.
He further revealed, “Some friends gave me advice that I should try not to stay in my current accommodation if things escalate, because they think it’s possible that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent can take you from your apartment.” Zhang declined to provide his first name for security reasons.
Another student, Zhang Kaiqi, a 21-year-old studying public health, shared how the development derailed her travel and career plans.
“I was sad and irritated. For a moment, I thought it was fake news,” she said, having canceled a return flight to China at the last minute.
The directive comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China and reflects growing scrutiny of Chinese nationals in American academic institutions.
The number of Chinese students in the U.S. has already dropped significantly, from 370,000 in 2019 to about 277,000 in 2024.
Harvard has reassured its students that it is actively working on both legal and diplomatic solutions.
“Our teachers have sent us an email saying the school is actively working hard on a response within the next 72 hours and aims to negotiate with the government,” said Teresa, a student at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Her social media post titled “Harvard refugee” has drawn attention on Chinese platforms.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strong rebuke, stating the move “will only damage the image and international credibility of the United States,” and vowed to “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese students abroad.
As uncertainty grows, some students are weighing options like deferring their admission or transferring to other universities in countries such as Australia or Singapore.
Institutions like the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have already stepped in with offers of expedited admission and academic support.
Incoming student Zhao summed up the sentiment of many.
She noted that the policy shift had “severely disrupted her life plans” and left her in a state of confusion about her visa status.
The Trump administration indicated that the ban might be lifted provided Harvard complies with demands for information on foreign student visa holders.
