Marie Chantel Montas, a Harvard Ph.D. student from the Dominican Republic, was shocked to learn that the Trump administration had abruptly barred international students from enrolling—and threatened to deport current ones unless they transferred schools. The policy left students like her scrambling, unsure if they could continue their education or even stay in the country.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about bureaucracy—it’s about real people whose lives and futures are suddenly upended. For international students, this kind of policy doesn’t just disrupt their education; it sends a message that they’re unwelcome. And for universities, it undermines their ability to attract global talent, which has long been a cornerstone of U.S. higher education.