Dear Erica,
What a doozy of a week this has been. But there is good news amid the bad.
The big bombshell this week came yesterday with the news that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification—effectively barring the institution from enrolling international students and requiring current international students to transfer or face loss of legal status. Yes, I’m afraid you read that correctly.
And yes, this is in direct violation of the government’s existing policies regarding withdrawal of SEVP school certification. Harvard has filed a lawsuit in response...and we’ve just learned that a judge in Massachusetts has granted a temporary restraining order against DHS, effectively preserving the status quo while the litigation proceeds! This quick action by the court is encouraging but of course we’re concerned about the long-term ramifications of the administration’s many egregious transgressions against international students in this country.
Our concerns include the declaration by USCIS director-nominee Joseph Edlow that he intends to eliminate international students’ access to post-completion experiential learning opportunities through Optional Practical Training (OPT). NAFSA’s CEO, Fanta Aw issued a rebuke in response, calling the threats against Harvard and OPT “ill- conceived attacks on high-functioning systems and programs” that will drive away global talent at the expense of U.S. leadership, innovation, and economic vitality.
Join NAFSA and the U.S. for Success Coalition in sending this message to Congress with the urgent ask that they intervene!
Yesterday, a judge in California issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that prevents the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from incarcerating, transferring, imposing any adverse legal effect, or reversing reactivation of international students’ SEVIS records while litigation is pending.
Meanwhile, a judge in Massachusetts issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education and ordering that fired employees be allowed to return to work. The judge noted that the “Department cannot be shut down without Congress’s prior approval.” Recall that the entire staff of the department’s International and Foreign Language Education Office—which oversees Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs--was laid off in March so this is a very promising development!
While we await the administration’s likely challenge to the injunction and the courts’ eventual determination, we must encourage Congress to defend the programs it has deemed important and authorized! Recall we have an easy way to urge Congress to protect international education programs at Departments of State and Education!
Also this week, many cabinet secretaries testified before House and Senate authorization and appropriations committees on the FY2026 budget, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, and at times, discussed pressing issues related to international students as well as federal funding.
Finally, the House of Representatives narrowly passed—by one vote—its reconciliation package, which now moves to the Senate where it is likely to hit significant roadblocks. Our partners at the American Council on Education (ACE) have a summary on the provisions that would impact the higher education community.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
Urge your members of Congress to demand that the government abide by its own established protocols regarding SEVP school certification and affirm to DHS the vitally important contributions international students make to the United States economy, safety, and society.
Thank your representative for signing on to the Rep. Jayapal-led letter demanding answers from Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.
Complete or share with your DSO/PDSO NAFSA’s tool for tracking SEVIS record reactivations and re-terminations.
Come see us at the NAFSA Pavilion’s Advocacy Center in San Diego if you’ll be there!
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
