Shock at Harvard: International Students, Including South Asians, Face Uncertain Future After US Ban

Trump administration’s crackdown on Harvard leaves thousands in limbo, including Indian and Pakistani students — what it means for Sri Lanka

Harvard Dream Turns Nightmare

When Indian student Shreya Mishra Reddy was accepted into Harvard’s prestigious executive leadership program in 2023, her family was overjoyed. “It’s the ultimate school,” she said. But now, just weeks before graduation, she’s had to break devastating news to her loved ones: she may not graduate at all.

That’s because the Trump administration has moved to block Harvard from enrolling international students, citing the university’s alleged failure to comply with U.S. law.

More than 6,800 foreign students at Harvard — including over 700 from India — are now facing the threat of losing their education, visas, and future plans.

What Sparked the Ban?

This dramatic action is the latest move in a broader U.S. government crackdown on top universities following widespread pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security claims Harvard was “fostering violence” and “antisemitism” — accusations the university denies. The Trump administration has demanded access to disciplinary records and surveillance footage related to foreign students.

Harvard has 72 hours to comply or face the loss of international student enrollments — a decision that could affect many Sri Lankans applying to or already studying in U.S. universities.

Lives on Hold: “We’re Not Just Numbers”

Abdullah Shahid Sial, a mathematics and economics student from Pakistan, was among the very few from his country to be accepted at Harvard. It was a proud moment for his family — until now.

“This situation is ridiculous and dehumanising,” he said. Like thousands of others, he may be forced to leave the U.S., putting years of hard work, scholarships, and dreams at risk.

Some students have already started contacting immigration lawyers, while others — like a South Korean postgraduate — are now afraid to visit home, fearing they won’t be allowed back into the country.

Why It Matters for Sri Lanka

Harvard and other Ivy League schools are aspirational targets for Sri Lankan students, many of whom apply for postgraduate and research programs each year. This decision could impact visa approvals, scholarship decisions, and application timelines for Lankan students eyeing U.S. education.

In addition, families who invest heavily in sending their children abroad now face uncertainty about safety, stability, and returns on their educational investment.

What Is Harvard Doing About It?

Harvard has called the U.S. government's decision “unlawful” and is preparing a legal battle. The university has said it remains “fully committed” to protecting its international student community, which comes from over 140 countries.

But time is short — and the future of thousands of students, including Sri Lankans, hangs in the balance.

The Bigger Picture

The move against Harvard fits into a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten control over American education — with a focus on immigration, academic freedom, and student activism.

The message is loud and clear: the U.S. may no longer be the welcoming educational haven many believed it to be.

For students like Shreya and Abdullah, the American Dream now feels more like a cautionary tale.