Harvard University Widener Library (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/CCL)
WASHINGTON / CAMBRIDGE, May 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stripped Harvard University of its certification to enroll international students, throwing thousands of lives and academic futures into limbo—including those of dozens of Korean students studying at the elite institution.
The decision, announced Wednesday (local time), came after Harvard allegedly failed to comply with a federal request to submit detailed records on international students involved in campus-related incidents.
The request, made last month, set an April 30 deadline for compliance and warned of potential decertification from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which oversees foreign student visas.
Now, with SEVP certification revoked, Harvard is barred from issuing I-20 forms—documents essential for obtaining F and J student visas—meaning it cannot enroll new international students and must instruct current ones to transfer or risk losing their legal immigration status.
The fallout has been swift and deeply unsettling for Korean students on campus.
“All of us are shocked and incredibly anxious,” said Hwang Jung-ho, president of the Korean Undergraduate Student Association at Harvard. “We assumed the issue had been resolved when we didn’t hear anything after the deadline. Now, this news has blindsided us.”
With Harvard’s 2024–2025 academic year drawing to a close and graduation ceremonies scheduled next week, the timing of the decision has only added to the uncertainty. Hwang noted that while current students may have time to wait and assess next steps before the fall semester begins, soon-to-be graduates are in a much more precarious situation.
“Some of my friends are supposed to start work in June,” Hwang said. “They don’t even know if they’re allowed to work now.”
Under normal circumstances, recent graduates can remain in the U.S. and work under Optional Practical Training (OPT) provisions tied to their student visa. But with the visa status now jeopardized, employment plans—and even continued residence in the country—are at risk.
The Korean student community at Harvard, numbering roughly 40 at the undergraduate level and more including graduate programs, has been left scrambling for information. Many students reportedly fear they may have to return home abruptly.
The U.S. government defended its move, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stating, “Harvard failed to comply with federal law, and as a result, has lost its SEVP certification.”
Harvard has not yet issued an official statement. Students, meanwhile, are anxiously awaiting guidance, hoping for clarity before further disruptions to their studies and careers take hold.
The university currently hosts about 6,800 international students, making up approximately 27% of its student body.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
