The Romanian Embassy in Washington has stated on Friday that it closely monitors the developments generated by the decision of the US Administration to revoke the certification of the Harvard program for international students. 34 Romanian students are enrolled at Harvard University, pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies.
The diplomatic representation appeals to the Romanian student community at Harvard, with whom they are in contact, to remain in touch with the Embassy representatives.
Message from the Romanian Embassy in the USA
"The Romanian Embassy in Washington closely monitors the developments generated by yesterday's decision of the US Administration to revoke the certification of the Harvard program for international students and academic exchanges (SEVP), the implementation details, and its consequences on the Romanian student community," the embassy stated in an official communication quoted by News.ro.
"We are concerned about the fate of these remarkable young individuals and will make all possible efforts with our American partners to clarify their status and that of their families."
In case any student requires urgent consular assistance, please contact the Romanian consular offices: Consulate General of Romania in New York: +1 917 679 9874, Consulate General of Romania in Miami: +1 202 515 8953, Consulate General of Romania in Chicago: +1 312 307 2923, Consulate General of Romania in Los Angeles: +1 310 721 0474, or the Consular Section of the Romanian Embassy in Washington, D.C.: +1 202 420 8350," the Romanian Embassy in the USA stated.
The Embassy urges the Romanian student community at Harvard, with whom they are in contact, to remain in touch with the Embassy representatives.
Nearly 7,000 foreign students need to go to another university
It is worth mentioning that the Trump administration on Thursday banned Harvard University in Boston from accepting foreign students, thus depriving the institution of an important means of influence, marking a new escalation in the Trump administration's offensive against higher education.
Following this decision, already enrolled students must quickly transfer to other universities to maintain their legal status. Otherwise, they risk deportation.
The university in the northeastern United States - ranked among the best in the world and having produced 162 Nobel laureates - announces on its website that by 2025 it has approximately 6,700 "international students," representing 27% of the total.
Harvard Strikes Back
Harvard sued the Trump administration on Friday after being barred from admitting foreign students, according to a court document reported by AFP.
"This is the latest act of retaliation by the Government against Harvard and its First Amendment rights (which protect freedom of speech), seeking to take control of Harvard's leadership, programs, university ideology, and students," the complaint filed in a federal court in Massachusetts states.
The Trump administration has launched a broad offensive against higher education in the United States, accusing the most prestigious private universities - Harvard and Columbia - of allowing antisemitism to thrive and not adequately protecting Jewish students during protests against Israel's Gaza Strip War.
The Donald Trump administration has cut $2.7 billion in federal subsidies to Harvard, which refused to comply with a series of demands from the billionaire Republican and sued the Government.