Student Union
No International Freshmen Allowed at Harvard, University of Southern California
Harvard University and the University of Southern California announced Tuesday that first-year international students will not be allowed on campus because of federal visa regulations.
Last week, the U.S. government rescinded an immigration rule barring international students from staying or going to the United States while taking online courses after facing fierce opposition and legal challenges from universities.
While that was a major victory for international students, the dean of Harvard College, Rakesh Khurana, wrote that it does not apply to newly admitted international students.
“Despite the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division's decision to withdraw the directive that would have prohibited currently enrolled international students in the United States from taking an all-online course load this fall, this reversal does not apply to our newly admitted international students who require F-1 sponsorship,” Khurana wrote.
“We strongly disagree with guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that newly admitted F-1 international students, who are currently outside the United States, should not enter the U.S. on a student visa unless they are able to enroll in an in-person academic program,” the University of Southern California (USC) wrote on its website.
“We are exploring all legal options and are disappointed that the Department of Homeland Security has not made a more affirmative policy statement to offer clarity and flexibility to new students and universities during this global pandemic,” it wrote.
“I’m definitely sad that I won’t be getting the normal freshman experience. And with the fact that the college is going completely online for the whole year, I was worried with how things are going to be with me learning remotely from Malaysia,” said Mohamed Aqil bin Azmi, a Harvard-bound international student.
“We abhor any policies that seek to force us to choose between our community’s health and the education of our international students,” Khurana continued.
In a town hall for international students in early July, many students asked administrators if the college would consider implementing a hybrid-model, a combination of in-person and online instruction, the Harvard Crimson reported.
“We explored this option and concluded that given the unpredictability of current government policies and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis, this path could jeopardize both our international students’ ability to enter or leave the United States in the future and our community’s health,” Khurana wrote.
Khurana suggested two options for first-year international students to consider: taking their first semester completely online or deferring the start of their time at Harvard.
For students who choose to defer, the university guarantees all international, first-year students housing when the campus is able to welcome students back safely.
USC echoed those suggestions.
“Begin your academic program from abroad as a non-F-1 student. Contact your academic advisor to find a suitable schedule of online courses for fall 2020 and to gather information about obtaining a new I-20 for the spring 2021 semester,” it advised.
“Contact your admissions advisor, and inquire about possible options for beginning your academic program in a future semester.”
“It’s just the whole campus experience that I’m missing out which is making me disappointed, but I guess that’s kinda [sic] inevitable with how things are,” Aqil wrote to VOA.
“I am still entertaining the idea of deferring and taking a gap year -- I’m still discussing that decision with my parents and sponsors, but I’m quite inclined to continue remotely,” he added.
“We know this time presents you with an extra set of stressors. You likely have concerns about your visa, your ability to travel, academics and more,” posted USC on its page for international students.
“Our top priority is your health, safety and well-being. We are here to support you, and we will continue to update the information below as new developments take place.”
Khurana concluded, “I wish I could be writing to you with better news today, but I am hopeful that brighter days are ahead.”
Other universities have not released their policies for international freshman yet.
See all News Updates of the Day
Trump administration opens antisemitism inquiries at 5 colleges, including Columbia and Berkeley
The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday.
It's part of President Donald Trump's promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than the Biden administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. It comes the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses.
In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests.
Along with Columbia and Berkeley, the department is now investigating the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and Portland State University. The cases were opened using the department's power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of investigations, which stem from complaints.
Messages seeking comment were left with all five universities.
A statement from the Education Department criticized colleges for tolerating antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that followed. It also criticized the Biden administration for negotiating "toothless" resolutions that failed to hold schools accountable.
"Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses," said Craig Trainor, the agency's acting assistant secretary for civil rights.
The department didn't provide details about the inquiries or how it decided which schools are being targeted. Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern were among those called to testify on Capitol Hill last year as Republicans sought accountability for allegations of antisemitism. The hearings contributed to the resignation of multiple university presidents, including Columbia's Minouche Shafik.
An October report from House Republicans accused Columbia of failing to punish pro-Palestinian students who took over a campus building, and it called Northwestern's negotiations with student protesters a "stunning capitulation."
House Republicans applauded the new investigations. Representative Tim Walberg, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, said he was "glad that we finally have an administration who is taking action to protect Jewish students."
Trump's order also calls for a full review of antisemitism complaints filed with the Education Department since Oct. 7, 2023, including pending and resolved cases from the Biden administration. It encourages the Justice Department to take action to enforce civil rights laws.
Last week's order drew backlash from civil rights groups who said it violated First Amendment rights that protect political speech.
The new task force announced Monday includes the Justice and Education departments along with Health and Human Services.
"The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found," said Leo Terrell, assistant attorney general for civil rights. "The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump's renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools."
- By VOA News
STEM, business top subjects for international students
The Times of India breaks down the most popular subjects for international students to study in the U.S.
STEM and business lead the pack. Read the full story here. (January 2025)
- By VOA News
Safety and visa difficulties among misconceptions about US colleges
U.S. News & World report addresses some of the misconceptions about U.S. colleges and universities, including the difficulty of getting a visa.
Read the full story here. (January 2025)
- By VOA News
Work opportunities help draw international students to US schools
US News & World Report details the three top factors in foreign students' decision to study in the U.S. They include research opportunities and the reputation of U.S. degrees. Read the full story here. (December 2024)
- By VOA News
British student talks about her culture shock in Ohio
A British student who did a year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio talks about adjusting to life in America in a TikTok video, Newsweek magazine reports.
Among the biggest surprises? Portion sizes, jaywalking laws and dorm room beds.
Read the full story here. (December 2024)
