Harvard’s 800 Indian Students Face Deportation After SEVP Revocation
In a controversial and sudden move, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification, triggering panic among nearly 6,800 international students—including 800 from India—who now face potential deportation if no immediate remedy is found.
“Harvard’s 800 Indian Students Face Deportation; University Gets 72-Hour Ultimatum”
Harvard Barred from Hosting International Students
The revocation of SEVP certification effectively strips Harvard of its legal ability to host foreign students on F-1 or J-1 visas. Without this certification, the university cannot process new student visa applications, and currently enrolled international students are left in immigration limbo.
Students already in the U.S. must now find another SEVP-certified institution to transfer to—or risk deportation. Those planning to join Harvard in the upcoming term may be denied entry at the border.
DHS Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum with Secret Conditions
In an accompanying notice, the DHS issued Harvard a 72-hour ultimatum to meet six undisclosed conditions that would allow reinstatement of SEVP status. While the exact requirements remain classified, insiders suggest the demands relate to international student tracking, campus security measures, and academic compliance auditing.
The move has been widely criticized as abrupt and politically motivated, with critics calling it another instance of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration stance targeting top-tier academic institutions.
Harvard Responds with Legal Action
Harvard has not taken the decision lying down. The university promptly filed a lawsuit challenging the revocation, arguing that the action violates both constitutional protections and administrative norms. A federal judge responded by issuing a temporary restraining order, allowing Harvard to continue admitting international students while legal proceedings are underway.
University officials said they are confident the court will uphold the rights of students and reverse the DHS’s “politically charged interference” in academic affairs.
Indian Students Caught in the Crossfire
Indian students—many of whom are pursuing high-value research, doctoral work, and STEM degrees—have been hit hardest. With just days to make complex legal and academic decisions, many are scrambling to consult immigration lawyers, explore transfer options, and keep their visa status intact.
Student associations and the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. have expressed concern and are closely monitoring developments. Affected students have also launched an online petition urging the Indian government to intervene diplomatically.
