Everything You Need to Know About Harvard’s International Enrollment Suspension: Key Updates & Insights

Current international students at Harvard face a serious situation. If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) doesn’t reverse its decision to revoke Harvard’s certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), these students may have to leave the U.S.

SEVP certification is key for universities to enroll international students on F-1 and M-1 visas. Without it, Harvard can’t issue the Form I-20, which is essential for students to keep their visa status. The DHS made this alarming announcement just weeks after Harvard responded partially to their demands about student protests.

Despite the uncertainties, students set to graduate next week should receive their degrees, according to multiple immigration lawyers. Nicole Hallett, an immigration rights professor, emphasizes that as long as students have met their requirements, they can graduate.

Harvard has denounced the DHS decision as “unlawful” and reassured its commitment to support international students. However, immigration attorney Bhuvanyaa Vijay explains that if Harvard’s SEVP status isn’t reinstated, future enrollment for international students could be in jeopardy: "If the status is not reverted, then Harvard can’t have international students," she states.

While the revocation does not immediately invalidate visas, students have a limited timeframe to act. Vijay suggests that the DHS may provide a grace period, but without clear timelines, students are urged to act fast.

Time is critical, especially for those in Optional Practical Training. As former immigration lawyers indicate, transferring schools while in this program could terminate work authorization, complicating future plans.

In a twist, a judge in California recently blocked an order to terminate the legal status of some international students but that case is separate from Harvard’s situation. As noted by immigration attorneys, the realities of the two cases highlight a broader issue: the DHS’s power over university certifications.

Looking ahead, Harvard is expected to legally challenge the DHS decision. The university might file a temporary restraining order to halt the revocation while the situation is reviewed. Despite this, uncertainty looms over the future of international students at Harvard.

As the education landscape shifts due to policy changes, data suggests there’s an increase in international student enrollment at many U.S. universities, reaching over 1 million in recent years according to the Institute of International Education. However, incidents like this highlight the challenges these students face.

The complexity of immigration policies can leave students in a lurch. Social media reactions show a mix of fear and frustration among affected students. Many are sharing their concerns and seeking supportive communities online.

In the current climate, it’s essential for international students to stay informed and prepared. The future of their studies in the U.S. may depend on quick actions and legal outcomes in the coming weeks.

For more detailed information about international student policies, check out resources from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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