In mid-April, Alfred Williamson, a 20-year-old student from Wales, was relishing his first year at Harvard University. However, as the Trump administration intensified its threats against the university, targeting international students, Williamson began to feel anxious about his future. His American friends reassured him that the government's warnings were merely scare tactics, but their optimism soon proved misguided.
Just weeks later, following the conclusion of the spring semester, Williamson received alarming news via a flurry of messages on his phone — the federal government had effectively halted Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students. This development plunged him and countless others into a state of uncertainty and fear.
"I hope you’re OK," read one text from a family member, while a classmate expressed despair over potential financial aid cuts from Harvard—funds that made his studies in the U.S. possible, as British universities couldn't offer comparable support.
Despite a judge's temporary restraining order blocking the administration's actions, Williamson and thousands of other international students are now faced with increasing apprehension about their educational prospects. As immigration discussions continue to rage, Williamson, a white British science student, finds himself at the crossroads of a contentious national debate, revealing the broader impact of the Trump administration's policies on higher education.
