Indian students caught in Trump-Harvard crossfire over international student ban

Indian students are caught in the escalating crossfire between the US administration and Harvard University.

On Friday, the US' oldest university sued the Donald Trump government after it revoked Harvard's ability to enrol international students and said those on campus must transfer to other schools or leave the country. Later in the day, a federal judge blocked the government's move with a temporary restraining order.

The uncertainty, though, has left Indian students inbound this fall - as well as the roughly 800 studying there - panicked, conflicted and angry.

This is typically the time when newly admitted students are getting visas processed and preparing for travel.

Keep in Touch with Varsity, say Counsellors
Instead, foreign education consultants say they are fielding calls from stricken students unsure about the way forward.

“It’s a mess; students are worried,” Karan Gupta, founder of the eponymous career consultancy, told ET. “While the court order is a welcome development, overall uncertainty will remain.”

Social media is abuzz with posts on the Trump administration’s move, calling it everything from a “blatant attack on academic freedom” to a “high-stakes mess for students.” Most students, though, are conspicuously silent online. “There’s a fear that we are being monitored…and there will be consequences,” one student told ET.

Fightback
In a complaint filed in Boston federal court, Harvard called the revocation “a blatant violation of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.” The move will have “immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.” ET has seen a copy of the complaint.

“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the university and its mission. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” it said. International students make up over 27% of the student body.

Amid the chaos, consultants are advising students to maintain contact with the university. “We are advising students and parents to keep calm and to keep their options open. We are helping with alternative planning as the situation unfolds,” said Vibha Kagzi, chief executive of study abroad consultancy ReachIvy.com, herself an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Students with multiple acceptances may choose to forfeit their Harvard deposit and transfer to another college, said consultants, while some may look at other destinations, including Europe.

“This (judge’s stay) was expected, but even with the decision going in favour of Harvard (students), it is the negative signalling that would bother students or future applicants,” said Prashant Tibrewal, founder of Alum-n-i.

One student who has got a visa to join Harvard Business School this fall is worried it may no longer be valid. Some students who have turned down offers from other institutes are hoping that those would accept them if there are seats available.

A former Harvard Business School grad told ET that there were also rumours on Friday that those who have graduated from Harvard recently and are on optional practical training (OPT) may see it cancelled. “Some people had been asked to work from home temporarily,” the person said.

Losing Sheen
In the larger context, experts said, this development could impact the US’ attractiveness as an international study destination.

“Academic freedom is at the core of excellence and innovation,” said Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader (education and skill development) at KPMG in India. “Such moves target the core aspect that led to the ascent of US higher education system and do not augur well for its future as a preferred destination for international students.”

Sameer Kamat, founder of MBA Crystal Ball, said that even after the dust settles on this issue, there will still be long-term implications. The US government's move to control private universities is likely to erode the credibility and independence of its educational institutions.

The Department of Homeland Security had given Harvard a 72-hour window to comply with a list of demands to have an “opportunity” to regain its ability to enrol these students. Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem has said this should serve as a warning to all US institutions.

Alan Garber, president of Harvard University, said, “As we pursue legal remedies, we will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars.”