Harvard Faces Wave of International Transfer Requests Amid Trump Administration Crackdown

Harvard University is experiencing a surge in transfer inquiries from international students following recent moves by President Donald Trump’s administration to block the institution from hosting foreign scholars.

According to Maureen Martin, Director of Immigration Services at Harvard, the university has been “flooded with requests” from international students urgently seeking options to transfer elsewhere.

In a court filing submitted Wednesday, Martin stated that the uncertainty caused by the administration’s policies has sparked widespread “fear, concern, and confusion” among students and faculty. “Too many international students to count have inquired about the possibility of transferring to another institution,” she wrote.

The policy shift is part of Trump’s broader push to align higher education with his “Make America Great Again” agenda.

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In recent months, his administration has blocked Harvard from hosting international scholars, suspended student visa processing, and targeted non-citizen student activists for deportation — moves that have sent shockwaves through the U.S. academic community.

With international students making up over 27% of Harvard’s enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year, the impact is being deeply felt.

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Many students have reported serious emotional distress affecting their academic performance and mental health. Some have even canceled graduation attendance or postponed travel, fearing they might be denied re-entry into the country.

Martin also noted that a small but growing number of domestic students have expressed a desire to transfer, citing discomfort with attending a university that might be stripped of its international diversity.

Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the administration’s actions are unconstitutional. A judge has temporarily suspended the block on Harvard’s ability to host foreign students, and a hearing on the matter is set for Thursday.

Despite the court order, Martin confirmed that at least 10 visa applications have already been refused or revoked, including some that had previously been approved — and none of them have yet been reinstated.