The ban was outlined in the controversial US Government Homeland Security Update in early May 2025, preventing institutions such as Harvard University from issuing I-20 forms of F-1 student visas related to online qualification programs.
Policies affecting hundreds of enrollments across Africa and other regions have sparked anger among Harvard graduates who view it as an attack on the future of inclusive education.
“It's a horrible myopia movement,” said Dr. Angela Nyonggo, a graduate and education policy expert at Nairobi-based Harvard. “We refuse students to access world-class learning simply because the mode is digital.”
US government clashes with Harvard
Fallout began when Harvard Extension School announced a new Low-Resident Online Masters program that will allow international students to complete most of their coursework remotely.
The program, which had attracted interest from African students, was hailed as a breakthrough in unfair access to elite education.
However, the US Department of Homeland Security has declared that online-only or hybrid programs are not eligible for F-1 student visas, citing existing visa rules. Decisive critics say it is inconsistent with the evolving nature of global education.
“This is 2025. Education is no longer limited to buildings,” said Samuel Njoroge, a Harvard Kennedy School alumnus who currently works for the African Development Bank. “Why do we punish students for innovation?”
US immigration officials argue that the decision is based on years of visa policies, but education advocates argue that the timing reflects a broader trend of blocking access to international students.
They point to the rise in this policy as part of a pattern that undermines Africa's applicants, high visa refusal rates and now undermines global academic equity.
Africans are already facing some of the highest US visa rejection rates worldwide, according to data from the Institute for Immigration Policy. The new restrictions could further widen the educational gap for students from developing countries.
“What's going on here is a quiet exclusion,” said Dr. Rose Mugo, an education consultant and a Mombasa-based Harvard alumnus. “It's not just a visa. Who can take part in shaping the future?”
Harvard itself has not yet issued a formal statement on the issue, but internal sources suggest that the university is in talks with the US government to find a resolution. Meanwhile, many affected students remain invested in programs that are not currently investing in time, money and hope.
As of late May 2025, advocacy groups and alumni networks were increasing pressure on both Harvard University and the US government to reverse policy. They warn that if not addressed, the ban could damage America's educational reputation and undermine its soft power at a global stage.
“This isn't just a Harvard issue. It's a signal,” Nyonggo said. “And now, that's wrong.”
