The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Expects Solutions That Don't Harm Indonesian Students In The US

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues to monitor developments regarding the status of Indonesian students at Harvard University, United States, expecting a solution that is not detrimental considering the contribution to advancing education cooperation between the two countries.

The US president last month decided to revoke the permit for foreign student admissions by Harvard University. It forced them to move to another campus or lose their legal status.

"Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia noted that there were 87 Indonesian students who were students at Harvard University," said Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha in a press statement in Jakarta, Thursday, June 12.

"46 of them are LPDP students," he added.

In line with President Trump's policy, the US Department of Homeland Security revoked the Harvard University certification permit for accepting foreign students on May 22.

Harvard then sued for revocation, with the Boston Federal Court issuing a Temporary Restrining Order (TRO) against the US Government's decision.

On June 4, the US Government instructed to detain the entry of foreign students at Harvard who hold F and M (student visas) and J-type visas (medical, cultural and professional exchange programs).

Harvard University has again taken legal action and the Boston Federal Court has again issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

"We do various ways. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also coordinates with the LPDP, communicates closely with students there, Harvard Indonesia Student Association (HISA), then also coordinates with the campus," explained Judha.

With universities in the US still being the destination for Indonesian students to gain knowledge, the Government has expressed concern about developments.

"We ask for a solution that does not harm our students in the US, we also emphasize that Indonesian students in the US have contributed to the progress of cooperation in education and science," said Judha.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rolliansyah Soemirat, said the expected solution would not harm the fate of prospective Indonesian students in the United States.

"We really believe that all cooperation carried out, especially in the framework of education, has provided real benefits for both countries in various aspects," Roy explained, as he is familiarly called.

"It is reasonable to consider this well at a time when the US Government makes future decisions," he added.

Roy ensured that Indonesian representatives in Uncle Sam's country were ready to provide consular assistance to Indonesian students who were affected by the US Government's policies.

Harvard registered nearly 6,800 international students in the 2024-2025 school year, which is 27 percent of its total registration, according to university statistics.

In 2022, Chinese citizens are the largest foreign student group, with 1,016, according to university data.

After that, there were students from Canada, India, South Korea, England, Germany, Australia, Singapore and Japan.