Securing a spot at Harvard University fulfilled the long-held ambitions of Ethiopian student Jonas Nguze. The challenges posed by the Tigray Region internet and phone shutdowns, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, have hindered timely high school graduation.
At present, it remains uncertain whether he will make it to the Ivy League campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He and other hospitalized students globally are anxiously monitoring the Feud with the Trump administration as they attempt to obstruct International Student Registration.
On Thursday, Harvard countered the latest action to bar President Donald Trump’s foreign students from entering the U.S., deeming it an illegal retaliation against the university’s refusal to comply with the White House’s request. In a revised lawsuit submitted on Thursday, Harvard mentioned that the president is on the verge of nullifying his prior court order. Last month, a federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s accreditation, allowing the hosting of foreign students.
Harvard Admission: Uncertainty Looms in the Upcoming Months
Increasingly, the oldest and most renowned universities across the country see international students making up a quarter of their enrollments. As Harvard continues its battle against the administration, foreign students are left anxiously awaiting their ability to attend school, with some even contemplating alternative options.
For Nguze, 21, the ongoing war in Ethiopia has forced schools to close in numerous regions. After schools reopened, he opted for a gap year to study and save money for the TOEFL English Proficiency Test in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.
Jonas Nguze, 21, flipping through a book at the Wemitzker National Library in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 30, 2025.
“The war has profoundly impacted me. When I learned about my acceptance into Harvard, I felt ecstatic. It was a monumental moment for my family, teachers, mentors, and friends who supported my achievements,” he stated.
The coming month is fraught with uncertainty. On Wednesday, Trump enacted an order aiming to prevent international students from Harvard from entering the U.S., potentially barring thousands set to arrive on campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts this summer and fall.
The following day, Harvard challenged Trump’s legal justification for this action, indicating that a federal law allows him to block “alien classes” viewed as harmful to national interests. Targeting solely those intending to study at Harvard does not constitute an “alien class,” according to Harvard’s submission.
“The president’s actions are not meant to protect ‘U.S. interests,’ but rather to enact governmental revenge against Harvard,” the university stated.
Meanwhile, Harvard has devised contingency plans to ensure that students and visitors can continue their work at the university, President Alan Gerber communicated in a message addressed to the campus and alumni.
“Each of us is part of a truly global university community,” Gerber remarked on Thursday. “We recognize the unique and irreplaceable advantages of uniting talented individuals from around the world.”
Effects of International Student Enforcement on Interest in the U.S.
The standoff with Harvard coincides with the administration intensifying scrutiny of student visas nationwide. Thousands of students across the country have suddenly lost their authorization to remain in the U.S. This spring, before the administration reversed its position, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared last week that the U.S. would “actively cancel” visas for students from China.
Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, expressed that he’s monitoring whether many students will be able to come to the U.S., but prospective high school students are increasingly considering other options.
“It’s a series of setbacks,” stated Henniger, who collaborates with universities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe to attract international students. “Currently, international students’ interest in the U.S. has virtually plummeted to nothing.”
The fate of approximately 7,000 international students at Harvard University hangs in the balance as the Department of Homeland Security moved to block registration for aliens on May 22.
For many, this situation is exhausting. Jing, a 23-year-old master’s student, has secured an internship in China this summer and remains uncertain about re-entering the U.S. for the fall semester.
“It’s draining; we’re all in limbo. Trump creates major news every few days since his return to the White House,” Jing mentioned.
Jing is awaiting further developments, considering that the actions against international students could be a negotiation strategy.
The prospect of Trump potentially blocking foreign registrations at other universities will only amplify uncertainty among students contemplating overseas education, cautioned Craig Riggs, editor of ICEF Monitor, who has been involved in international education for nearly 30 years. He advises families to consult closely with their advisors and to avoid overreacting to the latest headlines.
“The regulations governing students making significant life commitments and financially investing in their education at Harvard can shift rapidly,” Riggs noted.
An aspiring economist, Nguze was the sole student accepted from Calamino Special High School this year.
Having received offers from Columbia University and Amherst College, Nguze ultimately opted for Harvard. He remains hopeful it all works out for him to attend.
Nguze is anxious about his visa to study at Harvard and fears it may be too late to pivot to another university. Last week, he received an email from Harvard prompting him to proceed with registration and emphasizing the favorable court rulings in Harvard’s appeal concerning alien registration.
“I trust this situation is temporary and that I can register on time to pursue my aspirations, which are far from the reality of Ethiopia,” he conveyed.
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Contributors to this report include Collin Binkley, Jocelyn Gecker, and Cheyanne Mumphrey of the Associated Press.
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Source: apnews.com