New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to prohibit Harvard University from accepting foreign students has drawn harsh criticism from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha, who said the action jeopardizes the future of international students in general and Harvard University in particular.
“President Trump’s recent action jeopardizes the aspirations and prospects of international students at Harvard and beyond,” Chadha posted on social media. I wear my colors as a proud member of the Harvard community to demonstrate my support for academic freedom and inclusivity.
Harvard University alumni Chadha voiced support for students impacted by the policy. “I support @Harvard and every other overseas student whose hopes and futures are at jeopardy. We have to protect intellectual independence and international cooperation,” he said.
The institution, however, denounced the ruling as illegal and unjustified, claiming that it “imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.”
As it looks for all possible remedies, the university has filed a lawsuit and said that it intends to get a temporary restraining order. “Yesterday, the federal government announced that it has revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and stripped the University of its authority to sponsor F- and J-visas for international students and scholars for the 2025-26 academic year,” the Office of the President of Harvard University said in a statement issued on Friday. The revocation is the latest in a string of government proceedings taken against Harvard for refusing to cede our academic autonomy and to comply with the unlawful federal government’s claim of authority over our staff, students, and curriculum.
Harvard reaffirmed its commitment to upholding academic freedom and promised assistance to anybody affected by the ruling, reassuring its global community.
“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” it continued. In addition to endangering the careers of thousands of Harvard academics and students, it also serves as a warning to many others at schools and institutions around the nation who have traveled to the United States to further their studies and realize their career goals. A petition for a temporary restraining order will be made in response to the complaint we just filed. We will make every effort to assist our academics and students while we seek legal remedies. As new information becomes available, the Harvard International Office will periodically offer updates.
According to the statement, the government has asserted that their harmful action stems from Harvard’s noncompliance with information demands made by the US Department of Homeland Security.
As required by law, Harvard did, in fact, reply to the Department’s demands. Know that you are essential parts of our community, worldwide scholars and students impacted by yesterday’s action. You are our friends and classmates, our mentors and coworkers, and our collaborators in this outstanding institution’s endeavors. Because of you, our nation and the globe are more enlightened and robust, and we know and comprehend more. “We will stand by you as we make every effort to keep Harvard accessible to the world,” the Harvard statement said.
The White House said earlier Thursday that “Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.” The Harvard administration was charged with transforming “their once-great institution into a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told CNN that “they have repeatedly failed to take action to address the widespread problems negatively impacting American students and now they must face the consequences of their actions.”
The Trump administration and Harvard have been at odds for months as the administration wants the university to end on-campus antisemitism and “racist ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ practices.” It also wants the university to change its hiring and programming policies.
Because it thinks they participated in the controversial campus demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas conflict, the administration has targeted international workers and students.
