Donald Trump’s latest demand for the “names and countries” of every international student at Harvard seems nothing but a political ploy to send students into Panic. This is a warning sign for Indians, especially those with children dreaming of studying in the US.
People are baffled by this demand from the US president, asking for something the government already has. The US Department of Homeland Security keeps detailed records of every international student through the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
Netizens claim that the fact that Trump’s team seems unaware, or pretends to be, makes it clear this could be a rage bait for his followers.
The government itself issues the visas, so demanding the list from Harvard seems pointless. Yet, what this move could cause is online harassment and an attack on international students if Trump goes on to claim that the Ivory Institute is not disclosing the data.
For Indian students, this is alarming. The fight between Trump and Harvard is not about transparency or security, it has become more about politics.
The US court has already issued a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) on Trump’s ruling of “no more international students in Harvard. Meanwhile, Indian students’ futures hang in the balance, with policies that can change overnight.
