The use of miniature screws in assembling iPhones poses a significant challenge for domestic production in the U.S.

The use of miniature screws in assembling iPhones poses a significant challenge for domestic production in the U.S.

Harvard's Foreign Students Face Uncertainty After Trump's Ban

BEIJING, May 25 - In the wake of President Donald Trump's administration's decision to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, Chinese students are scrambling to adjust their plans and seek legal advice. The order, which alleges that the university cooperates with the Chinese Communist Party, could force current foreign students to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status.

Harvard has described the administration's action as "unlawful" and maintained its commitment to educating international students, many of whom are Chinese nationals. A U.S. district judge has issued a temporary restraining order, halting the policy for two weeks.

Zhang, a 24-year-old Ph.D. candidate in physics, reveals concerns within the Chinese student community at Harvard. He indicates that some of his friends have recommended he leave his current accommodation if the situation escalates, as there is a possibility that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent might take him from his apartment.

The number of Chinese international students in the United States has dropped to around 277,000 in 2024 from a high of approximately 370,000 in 2019. Chinese nationals made up a fifth of Harvard's foreign student intake in 2024, the university noted.

On Chinese social media platform Red Note, a woman, self-identified as a Chinese student at the Harvard Kennedy School, reported that teachers sent an email to Chinese students about the school's efforts to draft a response within the next 72 hours and aim for negotiations with the U.S. government. The post, titled "Harvard refugee," was quickly deleted.

China's foreign ministry has expressed concern that the U.S.'s action will harm the U.S.'s international reputation and pledged to protect the rights of Chinese students abroad. Harvard's actions could potentially be reversed if the university provides the requested information about foreign student visa holders, the administration stated.

Several Chinese "princelings," the children of the ruling Communist Party's elite, have attended Harvard over the past two decades, including President Xi Jinping's daughter, Xi Mingze. Concerns about ties between Chinese officials and Western countries have been growing, as Xi's anti-corruption campaign seeks to scrutinize their family's connections to prestigious U.S. universities.

Zhang Kaiqi, a master's student in public health, had planned to return to China on Friday but canceled his flight after hearing the news. He expressed concern about those with summer research assistant jobs whose visa status is tied to their employment and crucial for future Ph.D. applications.

The increased tension between China and the United States has led Chinese families to send their children to study in English-speaking countries like Australia and Singapore. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has offered unconditional admission, streamlined procedures, and academic support to affected students.

This policy has created uncertainty for international students worldwide, potentially leading them to explore alternative educational destinations. Meanwhile, universities in China and Hong Kong are looking to capitalize on this situation by welcoming affected students. The policy's future remains uncertain, as Harvard is engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration to block its implementation.

1. Chinese students, faced with uncertainty due to President Trump's administration's ban on foreign students at Harvard University, are seeking legal advice and adjusting their plans.
2. The foreign students, many of whom are Chinese nationals, are concerned about the possibility of being forced to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status.
3. The temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. district judge has halted the policy for two weeks, providing a respite for these international students.
4. The decline in the number of Chinese international students in the United States has been significant, with the number dropping from approximately 370,000 in 2019 to around 277,000 in 2024.
5. The health of student visa status and future academic prospects is a significant concern for foreign students, especially those with summer research assistant jobs whose visa status is tied to their employment.
6. The proposed policy could harm the United States' international reputation, as China's foreign ministry has expressed concern about the situation.
7. In response to the uncertainty caused by the policy, some Chinese families are sending their children to study in English-speaking countries like Australia and Singapore, while universities in China and Hong Kong are looking to capitalize on this situation by welcoming affected students.

Read also: