The news that the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s certification, preventing it from enrolling foreign students, has left Korean students enrolled or about to graduate from Harvard in shock and anxiety. This unprecedented and extreme measure by the government raises concerns about whether international students can continue their studies in the U.S. No clear answers have been provided, and students are waiting for an official statement from the university while keeping an eye on the situation.
Jung-ho Hwang, president of the Korean Student Association at Harvard and a senior in Computer Science, said in a call, “All international students who heard the news are very upset.” The Department of Homeland Security had previously asked Harvard to provide information on foreign students’ criminal and violent history by April 30, warning that failing to comply would result in the termination of SEVP certification.
While the initial demand had caused some anxiety, the absence of further developments after the deadline led many to believe the issue was resolved. Hwang remarked, “We thought everything was okay, but the sudden news caught us by surprise, and we are very worried. We have not yet been officially notified by the school.”
Some Korean students have expressed concerns about whether to return to Korea immediately or fear being expelled from the U.S. Harvard University has mostly wrapped up the 2024-2025 academic year, with graduation ceremonies set for next week. With the semester break starting, only a few students remain on campus.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Harvard lost its SEVP certification due to non-compliance with the law, meaning it can no longer enroll foreign students. Existing international students must transfer to other institutions to maintain their legal status, as SEVP certification is necessary to issue I-20 forms required for student visa approval.
The loss of student status impacts not only current students but also those like Hwang, who are about to graduate. Uncertainty looms over their ability to maintain legal status and employment eligibility, especially for those waiting to convert their student visas to professional (H-1B) visas. With graduation approaching, students who plan to start working in June are anxious about their employment prospects and await an official response from the university.
The Korean student community at Harvard consists of roughly 40 undergraduate students, with a larger number when including graduate students. About 6,800 international students are enrolled at Harvard, accounting for approximately 27% of the student body.