Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning Harvard University from admitting foreign students has sparked widespread international concern, including from the Indonesian government. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring developments and has expressed serious worries over the policy’s impact.
The ban has created uncertainty for many international students at Harvard, including 87 from Indonesia. Judha Nugraha, Director of the Indonesian Citizen Protection Bureau at the Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday, May 27, that while Harvard pursues legal action against the ban, the Indonesian Embassy in the U.S. is maintaining close communication with Indonesian students and urging them to remain calm.
“We stand ready to provide consular assistance to any Indonesian students affected by this measure,” Judha said.
He added that the Indonesian government has formally raised concerns with U.S. authorities and hopes for a resolution that safeguards the futures of Indonesian students at Harvard. “Indonesian students have made significant contributions to American education and scientific progress,” he noted.
The controversy began on May 23, 2025, when Trump signed an executive order prohibiting Harvard from admitting new international students. Harvard quickly filed a lawsuit the following day, accusing the government of unconstitutional and politically motivated retaliation.
On May 24, a federal judge in Massachusetts, Allison Burroughs, issued a temporary restraining order that paused the enforcement of the ban, providing Harvard with a legal reprieve.
In its court filing, Harvard argued that the government’s actions violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and cause direct and devastating harm to the university and its more than 7,000 international visa holders. The university described the order as an attempt to “wipe out a quarter of Harvard’s student population,” who play a vital role in the academic community.
Harvard also announced plans to seek a preliminary injunction to prevent further actions from the Department of Homeland Security restricting international student visas.
The policy affects several prominent students, including Cleo Carney, daughter of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who just completed her first year studying Resource Efficiency at Harvard. Another notable affected student is Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, heir to the Belgian throne, who recently finished the first year of a two-year Master’s in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
According to the Belgian royal household, Princess Elisabeth is currently in Belgium awaiting the court’s decision on whether she can return to complete her second year.
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