From Harvard standoff to cancelling visas, Donald Trump’s major announcements that affect students

In the first few months of his second term at the White House, President Donald Trump has made several striking decisions to transform America and its place in the world. As the Trump administration continues to tighten its grip on major policies in the country, international students in the US face unprecedented uncertainty.Recent announcements, including blocking Harvard from enrolling international students and a temporary halt on student visa processing, have left thousands of students worried about their academic and immigration status.
Here are the latest announcements by Trump that affect students.
Harvard University Ban | The Trump administration recently barred Harvard University from enrolling international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). With this decision, about 6,800 international students (2024-25) at the university may be impacted by this decision. However, a US judge blocked this move and issued a temporary restraining order freezing the policy.In April, the Trump administration blocked more than $2 billion in research funding and contracts, citing concerns that Harvard failed to stamp out antisemitism on its campus. Now, the administration is reportedly directing federal agencies to cancel contracts worth approximately $100 million with the university.

US Pauses Student Visa Processing | The Trump administration has temporarily suspended the processing of visas for international students, as it prepares tougher social media vetting guidelines for applicants. In a copy of a memo sent to diplomatic posts, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has instructed embassies and consulates not to provide “any additional student or exchange visa… appointment capacity until further guidance is issued”.

Trump Administration Cancels Student Visas | In April, the administration revoked 4,000 student visas from foreign nationals accused of criminal activities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that the United States would not accept visa holders who break the law or disrupt campuses. According to The New York Post, they arrived and breached the law without repercussions.

New Policy to Target Foreign Students | The Trump Administration is expanding measures to strip international students of their legal right to stay and study in the country. Attorneys for international students said that the new policy allows for faster deportations and justifies many of the procedures the government took to revoke foreign students’ authorisation to study in the country.

If a student’s visa is cancelled for whatever reason, they will no longer be able to continue their studies or work in the country, according to an Associated Press report. Previously, the rules stated that if a student’s visa was cancelled, they were normally permitted to remain in the United States to complete their education. They would be unable to return to the United States if they left the nation.