Harvard sues Trump over ban on foreign students

Following a U.S. government ruling that prohibited international students from enrolling at Harvard University, Chinese students frantically sought other plans on Friday, according to USA Today news outlet.

The Trump administration's action, which could force international students to transfer or risk losing their legal status, accuses Harvard of working with the Chinese Communist Party.

Harvard reacted by contesting the action in court, stating that it was "illegal" and reaffirming its dedication to global education. The majority of international students at the Ivy League university are currently Chinese nationals.

The choice has caused chaos in the lives of numerous students.

The report claims that Zhang, a 24-year-old physics PhD candidate, expressed worries about immigration enforcement and safety, claiming that some of his peers were even thinking about leaving their apartments out of fear.

"Compared to other groups, the Chinese community, in my opinion, feels like a more targeted entity.

“Some friends gave me advice that I should try not to stay in my current accommodation if things escalate, because they think it’s possible that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent can take you from your apartment,” said Zhang, who did not give his first name for security reasons

Others suffered financial and professional disadvantages when they abruptly canceled their trips back to China, such as Zhang Kaiqi, a student studying public health.

I felt depressed and agitated. I initially believed it to be fake news," the 21-year-old remarked.

The directive came amid greater tensions between the United States and China and enhanced the surveillance of Chinese students.

From a peak of 370,000 in 2019, the number of Chinese students studying in the US has decreased to approximately 277,000 in 2024.

Within 72 hours, Harvard has informed students that it is developing a diplomatic and legal response.

To share information and worries, some students, like Teresa at the Harvard Kennedy School, took to social media. One post with the headline "Harvard refugee" became viral on Chinese networks.

The school is actively working hard on a response within the next 72 hours and intends to negotiate with the government, according to an email our teachers sent us, Teresa stated.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed to "firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests" of its students abroad and denounced the US move, saying it "will only damage the image and international credibility of the United States."

Other academic institutions, like the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, have provided impacted students with academic support and accelerated admissions.

Some students are thinking about postponing enrollment or moving to schools in other nations, such as Australia or Singapore, because their scholastic and legal futures are uncertain.

Zhao, an incoming student, claimed that the circumstance had seriously interfered with her plans for her life and left her unsure of how to proceed with her visa application.

The Trump administration hinted that if Harvard complies with requests for information regarding foreign student visa holders, the decision might be overturned.