Canada’s Ocean Ma made a big impact in her debut season with Harvard’s squash team, helping the Crimson claim an Ivy League title and a divisional crown at the national college playdowns. Now, the 18-year-old from Richmond, B.C., hopes to build on that success — despite growing uncertainty surrounding her future in the U.S.
The uncertainty stems from a recent U.S. government decision that threatens the status of international students at Harvard. Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security ruled the university ineligible to enroll international students on visas — a move that could affect more than 6,800 students, or over a quarter of Harvard’s student body.
“It’s really nerve-wracking,” Ma said in an interview from Dalian, China. “I don’t want to have the college experience taken away from me.”
The decision is part of a broader dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard, sparked by allegations that the university has failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. Harvard has denied the accusations and is fighting the ruling in court. A federal judge has since issued a temporary restraining order, halting the ban while legal proceedings continue. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday to decide whether to extend that order.
Harvard president Alan Garber called the government’s action “unlawful” and said the university will continue to support affected students. In a letter to the campus community, he reaffirmed the school’s commitment to defending its international population.
Ma, who helped Canada win bronze at the World Junior Team Championship and captured national squash titles at the U15, U17, and U19 levels, was one of five international players on Harvard’s 11-member women’s squash team last season. The men’s team, which includes Vancouver’s Jacob Lin, had 10 international players on its 13-player roster.
“If Trump’s demands went through, then over half the team would be gone — there would be no Harvard squash,” Ma said. “Harvard is not Harvard without its international students.”
The university has the largest varsity athletics program in the U.S., with 42 teams. Over three dozen Canadian student-athletes currently compete for Harvard in sports ranging from hockey and soccer to fencing and golf.
Among them is Olympic soccer star Jade Rose, who is finishing her final semester, and fencer Jessica Guo, a two-time Olympian who helped lead Harvard to the 2024 NCAA national title. Golfer Michelle Liu, who became the youngest player to compete in the Canadian Women’s Open at age 12, also made her varsity debut last fall.
Ma said her family has been closely following the developments. “My mom was a little frantic last week, wondering if transferring to Yale — where my twin sister is — could be an option,” she said. “But I told her to wait and see.”
Despite the legal turmoil, Ma remains optimistic. “I’m proud of how Alan Garber is standing up to Trump,” she said. “I really believe he’ll be able to resolve this.”
Ma intends to return to campus in September. Harvard’s squash season resumes in November.
“After spending a year at Harvard, I don’t think I’d like to be at any other school,” she said.
