"Temporary victory" for Harvard University
On the morning of May 29, 2025 (Boston time, USA), a federal court extended a temporary restraining order (issued on May 23) to block the government 's decision to strip Harvard University of its international admissions rights. The court also agreed to grant a preliminary injunction.
In a letter to students, Harvard's International Office and the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs said that while it was a temporary victory, the court's decision prevented the federal government from revoking the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) designation. "Harvard will continue to protect the rights of international students and scholars, who are essential to the university's mission and academic community—and whose presence here brings enormous benefits to our country," the letter said.
Notably, Harvard's graduation ceremony took place at the same time as the hearing. During the ceremony, Harvard President Alan Garber gave a speech saying, "Welcome to the members of the class of 2025, who are from all over the country and all over the world . All over the world. As it should be." These comments were greeted with thunderous applause. According to the New York Times , during the ceremony, some students and families spread the news about the hearing results, some people cheered and celebrated. A Vietnamese student studying abroad at Harvard confirmed this.
Harvard University graduates with t-shirts that read "Harvard is not Harvard without international students"
Photo: REUTERS
However, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security hinted at other ways the administration could bar international students from enrolling at the Ivy League school. In a court filing filed the day before, Maureen Martin, director of immigration services at Harvard’s International Office, said there had been a surge of international students asking about transferring and that the atmosphere at the university in recent days had been one of fear, concern, and confusion.
Vietnamese students studying abroad are not surprised by the court's decision.
Some Vietnamese students studying at Harvard said they were not surprised by the court's decision, similar to those who believed the school would win the lawsuit and international students would still be allowed to study at the school. "I am quite sure about the school's legal basis in this matter. Not allowing international admissions at a school like Harvard is shocking to the entire university system in the US," said a Vietnamese student (anonymous).
This international student also added that in the past few days, everything has been going quite normally because the faculty and research team have provided him with full information. He has not yet felt too much impact on him.
With what is happening, another person assessed that many international students will still feel secure to continue studying at Harvard. Previously, a Vietnamese student at Harvard shared that many professors, student groups, and school departments have sent many emails of support and encouragement to international students as well as giving some ways that local students can help international students during this time.
Students decorate graduation caps with the message "Protect international students"
Photo: REUTERS
This person said that compared to when he received the news, he has not heard many reactions from students, possibly because the school is holding graduation ceremonies. However, according to this international student, in the speech of the President of Harvard University at the ceremony, the passages mentioning the importance of international students to Harvard received much applause. "I think those statements show that Harvard will continue to fight in the future and that the professors and students of the school will support it," this international student said.
However, another Vietnamese student said that they should continue to monitor information and be careful because the government said it would check each student's visa.
Harvard student visa applicants' social media accounts reviewed
On May 30, the US State Department asked consulates and embassies to immediately begin reviewing the social media accounts of applicants for student visas to Harvard, according to POLITICO .
The cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said consular officers should “conduct a full screening of the online presence of any nonimmigrant visa applicant seeking to visit Harvard University for any purpose.” While the policy primarily affects students, it would also include Harvard faculty, researchers, staff, and guest speakers. The cable called Harvard a “pilot program” for screening visa applicants that would be expanded over time, suggesting the program could potentially be rolled out to other universities.
The cable also instructed consular officers to notify applicants with private social media accounts that they may be considered evading investigation, and to ask them to make their accounts public while the Fraud Unit reviews their cases.
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