The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced concern over a recent U.S. immigration policy that could bar Harvard University from accepting international students, potentially affecting 87 Indonesian students currently enrolled at the prestigious institution.

“We are closely monitoring developments regarding U.S. immigration policies, including the restriction imposed on Harvard University in accepting foreign students,” Rolliansyah Soemirat, Spokesman at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The controversial measure has caused widespread uncertainty for international students at Harvard, prompting legal challenges from the university itself. While the legal process unfolds, Indonesia's diplomatic missions in the U.S. have been actively engaging with Indonesian students at Harvard.

“Our representatives in the U.S. have established intensive communication with the Indonesian student community at Harvard and urged them to remain calm,” Soemirat said.

The Indonesian government has also expressed its concern directly to the U.S. government, hoping for a resolution that does not jeopardize the future of its students.

“The Indonesian government stands ready to provide consular assistance to affected students,” Soemirat affirmed, noting that Indonesian students have long contributed significantly to the advancement of education and scientific research in the United States.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Indonesian citizens abroad, particularly students who face uncertainty due to shifting immigration policies.

As reported by bbc.com, the Trump administration has moved to end Harvard's ability to enrol international students, escalating a standoff with America's oldest university.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the administration had revoked Harvard's "Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law."

"Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country," she wrote on X on Thursday.

Harvard called the move "unlawful" in a statement.

"We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably," the university responded.

"We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."

The Trump administration's decisions could affect thousands of international students who study at the university. Over 6,700 international students were enrolled at the institution last academic year, university data shows, making up 27 percent of its student body.

News quickly spread through the international community on campus Thursday, sparking fear and frustration among the thousands of students whose futures were suddenly in limbo.

"We're seeing a lot of confusion on this," Sarah Davis, an Australian student receiving a graduate degree, told BBC Newshour.

"The news has come only five days before a lot of us are due to graduate the university, and this obviously is going to have a lot of very uncertain implications for whether we're able to stay on in the United States afterwards and keep working here," Davis, who is president of the Australia and New Zealand Caucus at the Harvard Kennedy School, said.

"We're all just sitting back and waiting to see whether or not we get communications about what the next steps are from the university."

Leo Gerdén, a 22-year-old undergraduate from Sweden, remembers the day he received his admission letter to Harvard as the best day of his life. With less than a week until graduation, he didn't imagine his time at the prestigious campus ending like this.

"International students are being used as poker chips in a battle between the White House and Harvard," Gerdén told the BBC. "It's incredibly dehumanizing."

The Trump administration has launched investigations into dozens of universities across the countries and wrung concessions from other major U.S. institutions like Columbia University in New York.