Presidents’ Alliance Warns Against DHS Actions to Revoke Harvard’s SEVP Certification and Efforts to End Post-Graduation OPT

May 28, 2025

Dear Presidents’ Alliance Member,

In this week’s Member Update:

Presidents’ Alliance Warns Against DHS Actions to Revoke Harvard’s SEVP Certification and Efforts to End Post-Graduation OPT
Trump Administration Pauses Visa Interviews for International Students Amid Plans for Full Social Media Vetting of Applicants
Reminder: Register for Our 2025 SUCCESS National Convening in Chicago
2025 SUCCESS Awards: Nominate a Changemaker
Connect With Us: June Events Featuring Presidents’ Alliance Speakers
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Immigrant-Origin Leader Spotlight
Immigration in Brief
Calendar of Events
Top Reads

Following the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) revocation of Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and recent remarks by Joseph Edlow, nominee for Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), expressing his intent to end post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT), the Presidents’ Alliance warned of the serious consequences for students, campuses, and the U.S. economy.

Read the Full Press Statement Here

Trump Administration Pauses Visa Interviews for International Students Amid Plans for Full Social Media Vetting of Applicants

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Department of State ordered all embassies and consular sections to stop scheduling new visa interviews for international students. The pause comes as the administration reportedly considers implementing full social media vetting for all international student applicants. This latest change follows a series of recent shifts at the State Department, including the announcement of a “one-strike” immigration policy targeting all temporary visa holders, the revocation of student visas, and the termination of SEVIS records for thousands of students–often for minor infractions such as traffic or parking violations.

The Presidents’ Alliance team continues to work with our partners in the U.S. for Success coalition to educate lawmakers about the dire impacts and consequences of these actions–not only for international students and scholars but also for campuses, communities, and the broader U.S. economy. Along with our partners at NAFSA, we also encourage all higher education stakeholders to continue contacting their members of Congress and urge them to convey to the administration that international students are vital to the U.S. economy, national security, and global competitiveness. It is critical that we continue to welcome international students and scholars and support their success in the U.S.

See our messaging guidance and template letter for institutions. Contact Zuzana Wootson (zuzana@presidentsalliance.org) for more information.

Reminder: Register for Our 2025 SUCCESS National Convening in Chicago

Our 2025 Supporting Undocumented Students' College & Career Equity: Strategies for Success (SUCCESS) National Convening will be held at the University of Illinois Chicago from Wednesday, September 10 to Friday, September 12, 2025.

The themes of the 2025 SUCCESS Convening are Unlocking Career Opportunities: Licensure, Employment-Based Options & Advanced Degrees, and Building Holistic Supports: Community, Wellness, & Immigration Services. We expect that over 400 campus participants, organizational experts, and advocates will come together to share cutting-edge programming and initiatives to support undocumented students with and without work authorization. Institutions are encouraged to bring small teams from their campuses, including senior campus leaders, students, staff, and faculty.

Non-Member Registration:

This year, we are offering early bird pricing for non-member institutions. Use code EARLYBIRD to receive a 10% discount on the regular registration fee. Early bird pricing is valid until June 30, 2025.

Member Registration:

Presidents' Alliance member campuses and affiliate partner organizations are eligible for a 30% discount on the registration rates until registration closes.

Not sure if your institution is a member? Please contact our Project Manager for Campus Engagement, Ivana Lopez Espinosa, at ivana@presidentsalliance.org.

2025 SUCCESS Awards: Nominate a Changemaker

Do you know a student, practitioner, or institution advancing real progress for undocumented students?

Shine a spotlight on their work by submitting a SUCCESS Award nomination.

The deadline is Friday, May 30, 2025. Incomplete nominations cannot be considered.

Submit a Nomination Here

Connect With Us: June Events Featuring Presidents’ Alliance Speakers

The Presidents’ Alliance team will be speaking and facilitating important discussions related to higher education and immigration at a number of conferences this June. We would love to connect with you if you are attending any of the following events listed below:

May 27-30: NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo (San Diego) – Miriam Feldblum; Zuzana Čeplá Wootson, Deputy Director of Federal Policy; and Rajika Bhandari, Senior Advisor and consultant
June 4-5: HigherEd Immigration Allies Conference (Sacramento) – Monica Andrade, Director of State Policy and Legal Strategy
June 9-10: NACE 2025 Conference & Expo (Philadelphia) – Miriam Feldblum and Zuzana Čeplá Wootson
June 18-21: 2025 AILA Annual Conference and Webcast on Immigration Law (Denver) – Anita Gupta, Managing Attorney of Legal Programs and Initiatives
June 24-27: NASFAA 2025 National Conference (Los Angeles) – Luz Bertadillo Rodriguez, Director of Campus Engagement; Felecia Russell, Director of the Higher Ed Immigration Portal; Corinne Kentor, Manager of Research and Policy
June 28-July 1: ACUHO-I Campus Home. LIVE! Conference & Expo – Miriam Feldblum

We look forward to connecting with many of you at these events!

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Immigrant-Origin Leader Spotlight

In the month of May, we honor the essential role of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students, staff, leaders, and practitioners in U.S. higher education. From classrooms to campuses, their achievements, leadership, and rich immigrant journeys continue to shape and strengthen our communities.

Immigrant-Origin Leader Spotlight:

This week, we’re honored to highlight Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.

Originally from Kerala, India, Dr. Christian is a visionary leader and lifelong advocate for student access, success, and economic mobility. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern California and her doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, later serving as President of Bakersfield College and Chancellor of the Kern Community College District. Now leading the largest system of higher education in the nation, she continues to champion the power of community colleges to uplift underserved communities and prepare the future workforce.

Help us amplify Dr. Christian’s story by sharing it on LinkedIn and Instagram.

To explore the broader impact of immigrant-origin leaders and students in U.S. higher education, check out our reports: How Immigrant-Origin Leaders Contribute to U.S. Colleges and Universities and Immigrant-Origin Students in U.S. Higher Education.

Immigration in Brief

A new NFAP study details the vital importance of immigrant and international students in driving and sustaining undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The study shows that without any international and immigrant-origin students, the undergraduate population in the U.S. would be almost 5 million students smaller in 2037 than in 2022, a loss of up to one-third at the undergrad level, while at the graduate level, there would be a decline of at least 1.1 million students or a loss of up to 40%.
The Fifth Circuit ruling on the legality of DACA is moving toward implementation after none of the parties in Texas v. United States appealed to the Supreme Court by the May 19 deadline. The case now returns to U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen, who must revise his original order to align with the appellate decision—potentially leading to a rollback of work authorization for DACA recipients in Texas. For now, a court-ordered stay remains in place, allowing current DACA recipients nationwide to continue renewing their protections.
The reconciliation bill narrowly passed the House along party lines last Thursday, May 22. The bill includes a number of provisions targeting immigrants and the higher education sector, including an attempt to revoke federal financial aid eligibility from refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian populations.

Calendar of Events

May 28, 2025 | Podcast: Intersections with Dr. Russell, Episode #9 | Subscribe Here
September 10-12, 2025 | SUCCESS Convening at the University of Illinois Chicago | Register Here