By Esther Edoh
Cambridge, MA – Harvard University is experiencing a significant increase in transfer requests from its international student population, spurred by the Trump administration’s recent policies targeting foreign scholars and students, according to a staff member’s recent court filing.
Maureen Martin, Director of Immigration Services at Harvard, revealed in a Wednesday filing that the university has been “inundated with questions from current international students and scholars about their status and options,” with “too many international students to count” inquiring about transferring to other institutions.
President Trump’s administration has faced accusations of undermining the United States’ long-held reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, who currently number around one million nationwide. Critics argue that the administration’s actions are driven by a populist “Make America Great Again” agenda that views U.S. universities as obstacles.
The specific measures causing concern include: a now-suspended attempt to block Harvard from hosting international scholars, the reported targeting of non-citizen campus activists for deportation, and a recent suspension of student visa processing across the board.
Martin described a climate of “profound fear, concern, and confusion” pervading the university, where over 27% of enrollment in the 2024-25 academic year was comprised of foreign students, based on university data. This anxiety is taking a toll, with Martin reporting that “many international students and scholars are reporting significant emotional distress that is affecting their mental health and making it difficult to focus on their studies.”
The apprehension is so pervasive that some students reportedly feared attending their graduation ceremonies this week or canceled travel plans over fear of being denied re-entry to the United States.
Adding a further layer of concern, Martin noted that a “handful of domestic students” have also “expressed serious interest” in transferring elsewhere, citing their unwillingness to attend a university devoid of international students.
The legal battle surrounding the administration’s attempt to restrict Harvard’s ability to host foreign students continues. Last week, a judge temporarily suspended the government’s move after Harvard filed a lawsuit, arguing the action was unconstitutional. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Thursday.
Martin’s filing also revealed that at least ten foreign students or scholars at Harvard had their visa applications abruptly refused following the announcement of the ban, even in cases where the visas had already been approved. Despite the judge’s suspension of the policy, these visa applications have reportedly not been reinstated. “My current understanding is that the visa applications that were refused or revoked following the Revocation Notice have not yet been approved or reinstated,” Martin stated.
The future for international students at Harvard remains uncertain as the legal challenge to the Trump administration’s policies unfolds. The university is grappling with the immediate impact of these policies, as it attempts to reassure its international community and mitigate the disruption caused by the current climate.
