Indonesia Prepares Consular Assistance for 87 Harvard Students Affected by US Ban
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Retrieved from Antara, The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing consular assistance for 87 Indonesian students at Harvard University who are affected by the US government’s ban on enrolling foreign students.
Rolliansyah Soemirat, spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed on Tuesday that the Indonesian Embassy in the United States will provide the necessary consular support to the students impacted by this policy.
The ministry is closely monitoring developments related to US immigration policies, particularly the recent ban that restricts Harvard University from admitting foreign students. This decision has created uncertainty for international students from various countries, including the 87 Indonesian students currently studying at Harvard.
“As we await the outcome of the ongoing lawsuit filed by Harvard University, the Indonesian Embassy has maintained regular communication with the affected students and encouraged them to remain calm,” Soemirat explained.
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Furthermore, the Indonesian government has formally raised its concerns with the US government, hoping for a resolution that would not endanger the future of Indonesian students at the prestigious institution.
“Indonesian students in the US have made significant contributions to the advancement of education and research, and their presence is valuable,” Soemirat emphasized.
On May 22, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution from accepting new foreign students. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also announced that foreign students already enrolled must leave the country to maintain their eligibility for student status.
“Let this serve as a warning to universities and academic institutions. Admitting foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and that privilege has been revoked due to Harvard’s repeated failure to comply with federal law,” said US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. (BL)