Trump’s Focus on Harvard University and International Students

President Donald J. Trump seems to be directing his administration’s efforts toward Harvard University, with significant implications for the school’s athletics scene. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security effectively halted the registration of international students and revoked the accreditation that permits Harvard to enroll them. Secretary of Homeland Security, Christie Noem, issued a statement, attributing Harvard’s issues to “promoting violence, anti-Semitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on campus.”

In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for the second time in less than thirty days. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration’s actions, which complicates the situation for both Harvard and Trump.

As Trump’s sanctions on schools linger, they’re becoming crucial, especially since if they are upheld, over 7,000 Harvard students—including varsity athletes—could be affected. Harvard argued in its lawsuit that the government’s actions threaten the significant contributions made by international students, stating, “Without international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”

Harvard supports more varsity sports than any other NCAA facility in the country, with 21% of its athletes coming from outside the US. This includes two players from the women’s basketball team who have recently excelled, making it to Ivy Madness and their first NCAA tournament. Greek guard Lydia Chatila is among them and will be a sophomore next season, having played a key role last year.

Chatila started every game of the NCAA tournament season, averaging 2.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in over 21 minutes per game. Her standout performance came in Boston, where she tallied eight points, six rebounds, and three steals.

Another player, Nahar, recently gained national attention while playing at the Western Reserve Academy in Ohio. She had offers from multiple schools but chose to join Harvard over others.

What remains uncertain is whether Chatila and Nahar are in the US on international visas or if they hold US citizenship or green cards. If they are citizens or green card holders, they would be safeguarded from the administration’s potential impacts. However, the university doesn’t usually disclose visa statuses publicly, making it tough to identify which athletes might be affected. If Trump’s actions move forward, the players could be left in the dark until the sports seasons commence—unless they decide to share their situations.

It’s also unclear what options available athletes have if they find themselves unable to attend or compete at Harvard next season due to these administrative actions. The women’s basketball transfer portal closed on April 23, and sources indicate neither Chatila nor Nahar are currently considering transfers.

Other women’s teams at Harvard are likely to face similar challenges. For instance, the field hockey team has eight international players, and women’s soccer has 15. Numerous other sports also feature several international athletes, including squash and rowing.

A spokesperson for Harvard did not respond immediately regarding the situation. Meanwhile, Harvard President Alan M. Gerber has condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s actions, labeling them “illegal and unjust.” He emphasized that these measures could jeopardize the futures of thousands of students and scholars at Harvard and serve as a warning for many others across the country who aspire to fulfill their educational dreams in the US. Gerber concluded with a message of support to affected international students and academics, stating, “you are an important member of our community.”