Harvard University’s athletic programs,renowned as the largest in the nation with 42 sports teams,are facing potential disruptions due to recent policy announcements regarding international students. the policy, initiated by the Trump governance, threatens the status of thousands of foreign students at the university.

impact on Athletes

• Men’s Heavyweight Crew: Seven of the eight members of the Eastern champion men’s heavyweight crew team, players featured prominently on the university’s website, are potentially affected.
• Men’s Hockey: Key players on the men’s hockey team, including Mick Thompson, the previous season’s top scorer, and Captain Jackba, are Canadian students whose status is now uncertain.
• Other Teams: Ten of 13 male athletes and over half of the women’s soccer and golf team members are international students.

According to a report on Sportico, a sports website, 21%, or 196 out of 919, of Harvard athletes in the 2024-25 season are international students.The report also notes that some of these students may hold U.S. citizenship, potentially mitigating the impact of visa cancellations.

The Government’s Stance

The Trump administration claims that Harvard has failed to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism, leading to the threat of deportation for international students. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has accused the university of harboring “anti-American and anti-Semitable terrorist molecules” that attack Jewish students, creating a “perilous campus.”

This action effectively bans Harvard from registering and accepting international students, potentially affecting 6,800 individuals, which is more than a quarter of the university’s registered foreign students.

Harvard’s Response

Harvard University has denounced the order as illegal and is preparing guidelines to support its international students. Alan Gaber, identifying himself as Jewish, stated that the Trump government filed a lawsuit last month to freeze Harvard University’s federal subsidies.

It is not onyl our legal obligations and responsibilities,but also a moral ground order.
Alan gaber

Gaber affirmed the university’s commitment to fighting hatred and injustice, stating they would not obey or tolerate unjust orders.

Harvard Sports Director Erin McDermot declined to comment on the visa cancellations and the situation of international students, referring inquiries to Harvard University’s public affairs office, which has not yet responded. Attempts to reach three sports team coaches at Harvard university were also unsuccessful.

Prime Minister Mark Carnival,a former Harvard hockey player,also declined to comment on the issue.

mora Hilli, a Harvard basketball player from Massachusetts, has not yet responded to inquiries.