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Josh Yardley grew up in Bangor and is a graduate of Bangor High School. He earned his master’s degree and PhD at Harvard, where he now teaches. As a college student, he interned in the office of Sen. Susan Collins.
I did my master’s degree studies at Harvard in a program where more than 80 percent of my classmates were international. They came from Afghanistan, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France and more than a dozen other countries. They were brilliant and driven, but also generous, thoughtful, and deeply committed to public service.
In our first year, we studied with professors not just from the U.S., but from Pakistan, Turkey, South Africa, Spain and Venezuela. We learned from one another through perspectives shaped by different histories, geographies, languages, and cultures. Sometimes we saw the world in profoundly different ways; other times, our shared values and sense of purpose brought surprising common ground.
That global mix of perspectives didn’t just enrich our education — it defined it. It challenged our assumptions, broadened our understanding, and gave us the tools to tackle complex problems in a globalized world. That’s what American higher education at its best looks like. And it’s what’s now under threat.
The Trump administration recently moved to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. Thousands of current and future students are now in limbo — not because of any violation of law or national security risk, but because Harvard has been outspoken in defense of academic freedom and democratic values. The government’s stated justification involves vague claims about federal reporting requirements. But the larger message is clear: speak up, and you’ll be punished.
Whether or not you have strong feelings about Harvard, this should concern all of us.
It’s easy to take shots at Harvard. It’s elite, it’s powerful, and it carries global prestige. But there’s a reason it has that reputation. Harvard attracts top students from across the U.S. and around the world. It produces groundbreaking research in medicine, climate science, public health, neuroscience, economics, and education. It trains leaders who go on to serve in government, civil society, and business, here and abroad.
But this moment isn’t just about one school.
International students play a vital role in higher education across the country. These students contributed nearly $44 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023–2024 academic year and supported more than 375,000 jobs. In Maine alone, they contributed over $82 million and helped sustain nearly 500 jobs.
Beyond the dollars, they bring energy, talent, and perspective to every campus they join. They help keep small colleges open and vibrant. They work in research labs, launch startups, and volunteer in local schools. They become part of our communities. They share their cultures with us and carry our values with them when they leave.
While this action targets Harvard, it sets a dangerous precedent. If a presidential administration can use the immigration system to retaliate against one university for speaking out, there’s nothing stopping it from applying the same pressure to others. That should alarm every college and university — and every town and city — that relies on international students to thrive. The message this sends isn’t just to Harvard. It’s to all institutions: stay quiet, or face the consequences.
If we start down that road, the ripple effects will be felt everywhere — including in Maine.
Maine has excellent colleges that rely on a mix of local, national, and international enrollment to stay strong. Schools like the University of Maine, Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin benefit tremendously from having international students in the classroom and community. These students don’t just fill seats — they elevate the experience for everyone.
And the competition for these students is real. Countries like Canada, Australia, and many in Europe are eager to welcome the very students our government is now turning into political pawns. China, too, stands to gain from our retreat — both in talent and in global influence — as top students who might once have chosen the U.S. begin looking elsewhere. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has already announced it will offer “unconditional admission” to any international student forced to leave Harvard.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t a serious debate about immigration or education reform. It’s not about fairness, transparency, or national security. It’s about retaliation. Bullying international students — and the schools that welcome them — looks to me like the move of an authoritarian trying to silence dissent and intimidate institutions into compliance. It’s dangerous and un-American and breathtakingly stupid.
International students make our colleges better. They make our communities richer. They make our country stronger. If we drive them away, we are not just punishing Harvard. We’re diminishing ourselves. Whatever your politics, this is a moment to pay attention — and to stand up for what’s right.
