The Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign students has led to uncertainty for 6,800 affected students. A judge temporarily blocked the ban on Harvard. Meanwhile, universities in Asia, like HKUST and those in Japan, are welcoming displaced students.
Amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Ivy League universities, the US government had revoked the university’s ability to enrol foreign students. The crackdown comes as a part of scrutiny of foreign students and to penalise universities not complying with federal policies and ideologies.
However, US District Judge Allison Burroughs extended an order blocking the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. It had already been paused since last week when the judge had issued a temporary restraining order.
This back and forth has caught 6,800 international students in its crosshairs and has caused an impediment in their academic journey as they face visa uncertainty and potential deportation. Moreover, life has been on standby for these students who are still trying to figure out the way forward, whether to transfer to another American university to save their visas or wait till the matter clears up at Harvard.
Amidst this, universities in Asia are taking proactive steps to support these displaced students. On Friday, Hong Kong Education Secretary Christine Choi called on universities in the Chinese city to welcome “outstanding students from all over the world”. In an effort to better career prospects and retain global talent, Hong Kong has also introduced policies allowing full-time international undergraduates to take part-time jobs without restrictions
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