For international students, and especially for their families, the news surrounding the recent federal action against Harvard University regarding student visas has undoubtedly introduced a layer of stress and uncertainty for students in the United States and globally. Questions abound: What does this mean for current students? For those planning to attend? Will this affect other institutions? It's a natural reaction to a situation that feels disruptive and, certainly, unprecedented.
At Collegewise, we've been closely monitoring this situation, diving deep into the legal filings and expert analysis to understand the implications. We want to help you cut through the noise and understand what's truly happening.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Related: Department of Education: What Families Need to Know
Earlier this week, the federal government announced it would be revoking Harvard University's Student Exchange Visitor Program, effective immediately. This would restrict Harvard's ability to sponsor students on an F- and J-visa for the 2025-26 academic school year. It also calls for any existing students carrying these visas to transfer to another university to maintain their status. This action was taken by the federal government after citing multiple concerns with Harvard's alleged failure to comply with institutional reporting, campus safety, among other things, noted in their announcement.
Shortly after the announcement, Harvard took immediate action and filed a complaint. Within hours of Harvard filing its lawsuit, a federal judge in Boston issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), effectively blocking the administration's directive. This swift judicial intervention ensures Harvard's continued ability to enroll international students pending a full hearing of the case. For international students currently at Harvard or those accepted for future enrollment, this immediate relief is critical, allowing them to proceed with their educational plans without immediate disruption.
While this is an unprecedented situation, it's evident that for now, the federal government cannot limit international enrollment.
Though currently blocked, the proposed revocation of Harvard's ability to sponsor international students has understandably caused concern. If the action is upheld, this could mean thousands of international students would lose their visa eligibility and even halt their studies entirely.
For prospective students, this raises questions about whether Harvard, and potentially other elite colleges, will be reliable options for them in the future. It's important to remember that for now, nothing has changed, and enrolled Harvard students remain protected while the situation develops.
Related: Supporting Our International Students and Scholars (Harvard Letter)
For students who have already applied and been accepted to Harvard for the 2025 admissions cycle, you're likely in the process of securing a visa. If you or someone you know already has a scheduled visa appointment, we urge you to keep your appointment and proceed as normal. There is a good chance that Harvard's ability to enroll international students will be fully reinstated, and when that happens, we don't want students to fall behind.
For students who have yet to schedule a visa interview appointment, you can anticipate an ongoing pause until further notice is provided to the public. Additionally, students to take note of the recent announcement in which the administration aims to expand social media vetting. Take this time to review your social media accounts and ensure that any activity does not go against anything the administration may deem hostile.
For prospective students actively working on their college applications, it's important to stay informed as the story develops. While many things are out of the public's hands, a few things that students can focus on in the meantime include:
For students currently enrolled at Harvard or other colleges, stay connected and prepared.
Currently, approximately 6,800 international students are enrolled at Harvard. In the most recent Open Doors' 2023-24 report, colleges and universities across the U.S. hosted a record number of 1.2 million international students. These students make up about 6% of the American population. Not only do international students contribute to campus diversity, they also promote tuition revenue for colleges, foster cross-cultural understanding, and enrich academic and extracurricular campus programs.
Any policies affecting international student enrollment can have devastating effects on higher education institutions and broader communities. Many colleges rely on international student enrollment due to the revenue generated from tuition. Prohibiting international students may put extra stress on colleges to bridge financial gaps, ultimately shifting institutional priorities around student acceptances.
Upon our review of Harvard's legal filing and having consulted with various legal experts, the prevailing consensus is that the university is highly likely to prevail should the case proceed to a full judicial review. While this action is less of a genuine enforcement measure and more of a compliance effort, families should understand that this action is likely more about leverage than policy enforcement.
Several key legal arguments underscore the strength of Harvard's position, providing a clear basis for our confidence in their legal challenge:
At Collegewise, we are actively monitoring this developing situation and will continue to update our students and families as more information becomes available. We understand how unsettling news like this can be, especially for international students and those navigating the admissions process from abroad. While we will do our best to provide timely guidance, we also encourage families to reach out to trusted professionals to ensure they get accurate, personalized information. As always, we're here to support your journey with clarity, compassion, and expertise.
About Us: With more than 25 years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the family. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for your student to be their best self - whether in the classroom, the applications, or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, lead to 4x higher than average admissions rates.