Trump Revokes SEVP Status for Harvard, 788 Indian Students at Risk

In a move that has triggered widespread alarm across academic and immigrant communities, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s certification under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively stripping the prestigious institution of its ability to enrol international students. The decision, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has significant implications for nearly 6,800 international students at Harvard, including approximately 788 Indian students currently enrolled across various programs.

The revocation of SEVP status means that Harvard can no longer issue the essential I-20 documents required for international students to apply for or maintain their student visas. As a result, all current international students—including hundreds from India—face the immediate risk of becoming out of status and subject to deportation unless they transfer to another SEVP-certified institution.

For Indian students, many of whom are enrolled in long-term doctoral and multi-year graduate programs, the disruption could be catastrophic. Transferring to a new university mid-course is not only logistically and academically challenging but may also be practically unfeasible, especially for those in specialized research fields or advanced stages of their degrees.

According to Harvard’s own records, between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars are enrolled annually in programs ranging from public health and engineering to law and business. These students now face an uncertain academic and legal future in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security justified the revocation by accusing Harvard of failing to cooperate with federal requests for information related to international students on campus. Specifically, the DHS cited the university’s alleged refusal to provide disciplinary records and audiovisual evidence tied to recent on-campus protests, which reportedly included pro-Hamas rhetoric and criticism of Israel. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem further criticized Harvard's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, calling them “racist” and “hostile to Jewish students.”

In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Noem wrote, “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.”

The administration has given Harvard 72 hours to comply with its demands, including handing over the requested documents and meeting other undisclosed criteria, in order to have its SEVP status reinstated. Until then, the clock is ticking for thousands of students who could soon find themselves without legal grounds to remain in the US.

From a legal standpoint, the Department of Homeland Security does have the authority to revoke SEVP certification. However, experts note that such actions have historically been reserved for smaller institutions suffering from accreditation issues or academic fraud—not elite Ivy League universities with longstanding global reputations. The move against Harvard is unprecedented and widely seen as politically motivated, given the timing and nature of the accusations.

Reactions from the academic and political communities have been swift. Immigration attorneys have already begun advising affected students to prepare for emergency transfers, while Harvard leadership is reportedly in closed-door meetings with legal teams to challenge the federal action. The Indian government has not yet issued an official statement, but diplomatic sources suggest that outreach to the US State Department is underway to ensure the safety and legal protection of Indian nationals.

Meanwhile, international students are left grappling with fear, uncertainty, and potential financial losses. For many, attending Harvard was not just an academic opportunity but a life-changing investment. Losing their visa status could result in abrupt relocation, wasted tuition fees, loss of research work, and a derailed academic future.

This development also comes at a time when US-India educational ties have been growing rapidly. Indian students constitute one of the largest international student populations in the United States. The crackdown on Harvard sends a troubling signal to prospective students and their families back home, many of whom are already wary of the unpredictable shifts in US immigration and education policy under Trump’s leadership.

Beyond Harvard, the implications are even more chilling. If an institution of Harvard’s stature can be targeted in this manner, no academic institution may feel entirely safe. The case may set a precedent for federal overreach into university governance, potentially weaponizing immigration status against academic institutions perceived as ideologically opposed to the administration.

In the coming days, Harvard’s response will be closely watched. Legal action to challenge the DHS decision is expected, but until then, students are in limbo. For Indian students, the timing couldn't be worse, as many are preparing for summer internships, dissertation work, or just beginning their transition to campus life.

This episode underscores the fragile intersection of politics, immigration, and education in America. For Indian students—and all international students—the message is clear: even elite credentials may not shield them from the uncertainties of an increasingly volatile policy landscape.