BOSTON, May 24 (WSH) —As the Trump administration moved on May 22 to revoke Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively banning the school from admitting international students, the global academic community has erupted in alarm.
The sweeping decision threatens the visas and academic standing of nearly 7,000 enrolled international students—and has now placed Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth at the center of the controversy.
The 23-year-old heir to the Belgian throne is currently pursuing a two-year Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Having completed her first year of study, she now faces the prospect of being forced to discontinue her education and transfer out of the U.S.
The Belgian royal family responded swiftly. Royal spokesperson Lore Vandoorne stated: “Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year at Harvard University. The impact of the Trump administration’s decision will become clearer in the coming days or weeks.” Royal communications chief Xavier Baert added, “We are closely monitoring the situation and hope it can be resolved peacefully.”
Background: Escalating Tensions Between Harvard and the White House
During Trump’s second term, Harvard has been engaged in repeated clashes with the federal government over academic freedom, diversity admissions (DEI programs), and demands for international student data. The White House had already frozen $2.26 billion in federal research funding for the university and demanded disciplinary records and protest activity data for foreign students. Harvard rejected the demands, citing violations of academic autonomy. In retaliation, the Department of Homeland Security officially revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification.
The ban delivers a double blow—impacting both incoming international students and those currently enrolled. Under U.S. immigration law, schools without SEVP certification cannot support international student visas. As a result, all affected students, including Princess Elisabeth, must transfer to another certified institution within 72 hours or risk losing their legal residency status.
Court Temporarily Halts Ban Amid Emergency Lawsuit
Harvard promptly filed a lawsuit against the administration. On May 23, a federal judge in Boston issued a temporary restraining order, halting enforcement of the ban and offering a narrow window of relief to both the university and its international student body.
Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a letter to the campus community: “This action is both unlawful and baseless. It jeopardizes the future of thousands of students and undermines the foundation of America’s openness in higher education.”
Global Reactions: International Outrage Over “Academic Sanctions”
The Belgian royal family’s rare public statement of concern has drawn widespread media coverage. A Chinese student currently studying at Harvard told reporters that “Trump’s ban is more of a high-pressure political tactic” and noted that faculty and lab directors were “growing increasingly frustrated,” especially as the policy has frozen hiring for postdoctoral fellows and researchers, leaving many critical projects stalled.
Meanwhile, Canadian social media users have urged the Belgian royal family to consider transferring Princess Elisabeth to one of Canada’s top universities—such as McGill, Queen’s, or the University of Ottawa—saying, “Canada welcomes all who love learning.”
Analysis: A Political Move with Global Fallout
Observers suggest the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on Harvard aligns with broader immigration and education reforms aimed at restricting foreign access to U.S. academia. Some commentators have labeled the move a “symbolic blow to liberal elite strongholds,” meant to rally the conservative base.
It remains unclear whether the policy will be extended to other universities, but with the potential disruption of a European royal’s education drawing international scrutiny, the Trump administration now faces mounting pressure from both allied governments and the global academic community.
