As the standoff between Harvard and the Trump administration escalates, the university's appeal, and its standing on the global stage, seemingly hangs in the balance.

The Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students on Thursday. Current students will be forced to transfer to other schools or lose legal status, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.

The Trump administration’s decision to restrict Harvard from taking foreign students has cast uncertainty on the future of thousands of international students.