As many know, Harvard University is at the center of a firestorm of their own making, which has understandably sent shockwaves through their international student community. NHC President Alan Garber has been outspoken against a new move by the U.S. government. This included this action which sought to remove the university’s ability to enrol overseas students. This move, claims Harvard, would be a “blatant violation” of the U.S. Constitution. A federal judge – Boston-based Allison Burroughs – intervened to raise a temporary block on the government’s plan. This ruling provides the university and its students with a sorely needed respite, at least temporarily.
International students account for almost 27% of Harvard’s student body, number about 6,700 students from 152 countries. The risk of what the federal government is planning to do has sent thousands of these students—our classmates and friends—into a nationwide state of panic. A Chinese PhD visiting scholar from Peking University, right now on an 18 month research trip to Harvard for her PhD. She went on to explain that the mood on campus was a sort of “mass panic.” She articulated the fears that her international peers were feeling, saying that it was really, really scary.
The stress and fear related to this issue have already resulted in very powerful responses from the Harvard community. A Haitian master’s student reported that a town hall organized by the university garnered a waiting list of 100 people within minutes. The event featured a campus-wide text chat that “blew up with hundreds of messages in an hour,” highlighting the urgency and emotional weight of the situation.
Beyond the discontent being felt by students that is echoed in these urgent demands, there are tangible effects of the federal government’s recent actions. Now a Harvard freshman, this 24-year-old Ukrainian has kept delaying her return flights home to her parents’ home in western Ukraine. She is worried that when she returns to the U.S. after summer break, she won’t be allowed back in. She remarked, “It goes against logic, but things go against logic in America right now,” reflecting her frustration and fear regarding the shifting landscape for international students.
The government’s attempt to restrict enrollment for foreign students has caused many within the Harvard community to rethink their plans for the upcoming summer. Many impacted international students have had to cancel their flights back home. Some are running out of housing in the U.S. over the recess. Hundreds of students have begun exploring transfer options to other universities in response to these recent events.
Our president, Alan Garber, released an unequivocal statement denouncing the government’s behavior as “illegal and inappropriate.” No one questioned his concerns for the futures of thousands of Harvard students and scholars. Beyond that, he made an effort to see how this was affecting international students at colleges and universities across the country.
“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities across the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.” – Alan Garber, Harvard’s president
Campus tension has never been worse. Students have experienced fear and insecurity, as well as uncertainty in their educational futures. A member of the university’s administrative staff characterized the situation as “horrific and almost definitely illegal.” They drew attention to an increasing climate of fear on the part of students, who typically focus inward on personal issues rather than outward on dangers from outside.
As the story is still developing, those in the Harvard community are remaining optimistic. They think their own institution will do a great job of rising to these challenges. One student reflected on the support provided by Harvard leadership, stating, “They’ve got our back. I have to trust that they want what is best for all of us.”