The abrupt revocation of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification by US President Donald Trump’s administration represents a severe abuse of executive power and a clear manifestation of the United States’ regression from principled leadership in global education.
This unprecedented action, cloaked in the language of national security and ideological alignment, is a politically charged maneuver designed to suppress intellectual diversity and punish dissenting academic institutions. The administration does not merely attack one university by targeting Harvard, a symbol of American higher learning. Instead, it sends a chilling signal to all institutions that refuse to conform to the Trump administration’s increasingly intolerant and nationalistic agenda.
The US Department of Homeland Security’s invocation of conspiratorial accusations, such as links to paramilitary groups, is irresponsible and undermines the credibility of any legitimate security concerns. What is evident instead is the administration’s hostility toward foreign scholars, particularly those from China, under the pretext of safeguarding American values.
This decision constitutes a direct assault on overseas students at the university, who have long formed the cornerstone of international academic exchange. Many of these students have achieved extraordinary academic distinction and are now treated as liabilities rather than assets. Their abrupt displacement not only disrupts their education and career prospects but also signals a broader campaign of xenophobic exclusion. The US, once a beacon for global talent, is now dismantling its own intellectual infrastructure by turning away those who have contributed significantly to its academic and scientific advancement.
The consequences for American higher education are far-reaching. The US has historically maintained its global academic dominance through its openness to international talent and commitment to academic freedom. This punitive action jeopardizes that position, revealing an alarming willingness to politicize university governance and subordinate institutional autonomy to federal dictates. By coercing universities into compliance with ideological orthodoxy, the Trump administration undermines the principles of academic liberty and pluralism that once defined American educational excellence.
The broader academic community is not united behind this regressive turn. Many institutions remain committed to global engagement, yet find their autonomy eroded and their international programs imperiled. The Trump administration’s rhetoric, framing international students as agitators and questioning their intellectual legitimacy, exposes an agenda rooted in cultural chauvinism and racial bias.
The ramifications extend beyond students to international researchers, visiting faculty, and collaborative scholars. The uncertainty surrounding visa status, funding continuity, and institutional support has already begun to hinder scientific progress. Research projects with a global scope, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biomedical innovation, rely heavily on international teams. The erosion of this collaborative environment will diminish the US’ academic standing and its competitiveness in critical sectors of the modern economy.
Harvard’s legal challenge to the decertification is both necessary and justified, but the judicial process moves slowly, often too slowly to provide timely relief to those affected. In the interim, thousands of students and scholars are left in a state of confusion, emotional distress, and professional paralysis. The federal court’s temporary injunction offers no substantive remedy to the deeper institutional damage inflicted. The administration’s contempt for judicial oversight and disregard for academic independence illustrate a broader pattern of authoritarian governance incompatible with democratic values or international cooperation.
In contrast, China is emerging as credible and attractive alternative for displaced international scholars and students. The Chinese government’s condemnation of the US decision highlights a growing global awareness of the dangers of politicized education policy. Where the US retreats into insularity and suspicion, China extends a hand of partnership and stability. And its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region offers a compelling vision for the future of international higher education.
Positioned uniquely under the “one country, two systems” framework, the HKSAR combines global connectivity with political and institutional stability. Its universities consistently rank among the world’s best, and its research output continues to expand under supportive national policy frameworks. The city’s Northern Metropolis development plan is a concrete example of this vision, emphasizing international science and technology hubs, advanced medical education infrastructure, and seamless integration with Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem. These efforts are not speculative but actively backed by the central government, which recognizes education and innovation as strategic pillars of national development.
Hong Kong’s longstanding commitment to academic freedom, scientific excellence, and global collaboration remains unwavering. Aligned with the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan, which places innovation and technological leadership at the forefront of national progress, Hong Kong is empowered to become a sanctuary for scholars seeking refuge from the politicized educational climate in the US. It offers an environment where researchers can pursue their work free from ideological constraints and where academic merit, rather than political loyalty, is the primary criterion for success.
This moment presents a transformative opportunity for Hong Kong to assert itself as a global academic center of gravity. The self-inflicted crisis within American higher education has created a vacuum in leadership and vision. With its institutional maturity, infrastructural investment, and strategic coherence, Hong Kong is well-positioned to fill that void and elevate its role on the global academic stage. The city’s universities should take proactive steps to welcome displaced students and scholars, not only as a gesture of solidarity but also as a strategic initiative reinforcing Hong Kong’s centrality in the international academic network.
The Trump administration’s actions are not merely misguided; they represent a deliberate dismantling of the global academic order that has fostered peace, innovation, and mutual understanding for decades. The weaponization of education policy against international students, especially those from China, is a betrayal of the values that once made American universities respected worldwide. As the US turns inward, driven by fear and political calculation, China, especially its HKSAR, must step forward as stewards of a more inclusive, forward-thinking, and cooperative academic future. It is a responsibility and a historic opportunity to lead with vision, substance, and integrity.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
