A notice from the Trump administration has caused an uproar in the education sector. Following the freezing of billions of dollars in federal funding for Harvard University, the Trump administration has taken further action by notifying Harvard that it is prohibited from enrolling international students—a decision that undoubtedly deals a major blow to the institution. The U.S. government has revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which will prevent Harvard University from enrolling any foreign students with F or J non-immigrant status for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Furthermore, existing students with F or J non-immigrant status must transfer to other universities; otherwise, they will be unable to maintain their non-immigrant status. This move means that Harvard University will no longer be able to enroll international students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that day, Secretary of Homeland Security Noem announced the decision, calling it a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country. Noem stated, "Enrolling international students is a privilege, not a right," and because Harvard University has repeatedly violated federal law, this privilege has been revoked.
According to Harvard University's enrollment data, there are currently approximately 6,800 international students studying at Harvard, accounting for about 27% of the total student body. Including visiting scholars, the total "international academic population" at Harvard reaches 9,970. Due to the latest regulations, international students currently at Harvard University are forced to transfer, or they will lose their legal status.
In addition, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Noem also mentioned in an interview that day that they are considering similar measures at other universities.
Against the backdrop of such policy changes, the importance of holding a green card for schooling has become increasingly prominent, and the advantages it brings are multidimensional and far-reaching. From the most direct perspective, students holding a green card will not be impacted by such policies. They can continue their studies at their preferred schools without worrying about being forced to transfer or losing their legal status due to policy changes. It can be said that green card holders possess an incomparable advantage at every stage of their education.
Differences in the Admission Pool: U.S. universities divide applicants into "domestic students" and "international students," with international students typically accounting for only 5%-10%. Green card holders are treated as domestic students, entering a pool with less competition, which significantly increases the probability of admission to top-tier universities.
Freedom of Major Selection: Some highly competitive majors (such as medicine, aerospace engineering, and certain STEM fields) explicitly restrict international student applications. Green card holders face no such restrictions and can freely choose any major, including sensitive fields involving national security or government funding.
Significant Differences in Tuition and Scholarships: Tuition for green card holders is only one-third that of international students. Green card holders can apply for federal grants, state government scholarships, and more on-campus financial aid, with coverage far exceeding that available to international students.
No Reliance on OPT/H-1B Lottery: After graduation, international students must accumulate work experience through OPT (12 months) and STEM OPT extensions (24 months) and participate in the H-1B lottery (which has a low selection rate). Green card holders, however, can be employed directly without work visa restrictions, offering broader career choices and stronger salary negotiation power.
Entry Threshold for High-End Positions: Many positions involving national defense, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence are restricted to U.S. citizens or green card holders.
Long-term Career Stability: International students face the risk of status expiration if they are unemployed for more than 90 days during their OPT (60 days for STEM OPT), whereas green card holders have no such restrictions and can flexibly adjust their career paths.
This "heavy blow" by the U.S. government to Harvard University is not only a shock to the higher education sector but also a warning to families worldwide planning to send their children to study in the U.S. For students and families planning to study in the U.S., holding a green card for schooling not only means a more stable status and higher-quality educational resources but is also a strategic choice that lays the foundation for long-term career development.
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