Beijing/Hong Kong/Macao — As Harvard University grapples with a contentious U.S. government move to block it from enrolling international students, authorities and institutions in Hong Kong and Macao have stepped forward to offer alternatives, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the decision on global higher education.
Though a federal judge issued a temporary halt to the Trump administration’s ban last Friday, the policy’s ripple effects continue to unsettle students and scholars, particularly those from China and India. Many are now reconsidering their academic futures in the United States, citing uncertainty surrounding visas, research continuity, and institutional stability.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively stripping the university of its ability to host international students. The ruling means that unless overturned, foreign students already enrolled must transfer institutions or face losing their legal status.
Harvard swiftly condemned the move in a letter to its community, calling it “unlawful and unwarranted,” and warning of “direct consequences” for thousands of students and scholars. The university has since filed a lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts, citing violations of constitutional due process and free speech protections.
The academic disruption has prompted swift reactions abroad. In Macao, the Education and Youth Development Bureau said it is closely monitoring developments and has reached out to local students enrolled at Harvard to offer guidance and assistance. The bureau also encouraged Macao universities to prepare for potential transfers and emphasized efforts to enhance the city’s appeal as a destination for international education.
In Hong Kong, the University of Science and Technology (HKUST) extended an open invitation to international students affected by the policy. The offer includes unconditional admissions, simplified application procedures, and academic support. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin announced that local universities have been urged to “take positive actions” to enroll displaced students.
“Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the university noted in its legal filing, emphasizing that international students comprise 27% of its student population. Chinese nationals alone account for one-fifth of Harvard’s international cohort.
Some students have already begun altering their plans. A Chinese student admitted to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education said she fears visa denial and possible entry rejections even if her application is successful. “I’m considering transferring to Hong Kong,” she told Chinese media.
Other students, including a postdoctoral researcher, have postponed overseas academic engagements due to policy risks. Indian students—numbering over 750—also face similar uncertainty. Former Indian Union Minister P. Chidambaram, a Harvard alumnus, called the policy “retrograde” and harmful to both Harvard and the U.S.
Education experts warn of broader consequences for the U.S. academic landscape. “This is more than a policy change,” said Connor Bitter, a Harvard alumnus and education consultant. “For many of the students I work with, this is a generational disruption,” he told CBC.
John Aubrey Douglass, a senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, said the move could have a chilling effect on America’s ability to attract global academic talent. The Chinese scholar, now seeking employment overseas, warned that the U.S. is rapidly eroding one of its greatest soft assets: higher education.
For students seeking stability in their academic journey, emerging destinations such as Hong Kong and Macao may offer more predictable alternatives. As more institutions step in to assist, Study Abroad Guides and university support services are becoming essential resources in navigating this shifting landscape.
