Indian ‘Immigrant’ Delivers Harvard Commencement Speech Attacking Trump’s ‘Cascade of Draconian Measures’

At Harvard’s 2025 commencement ceremony, the choice of speaker carried profound symbolic weight. Abraham Verghese, a Stanford University professor and best-selling novelist, addressed the Class of 2025 at a moment when the Department of Homeland Security threatened to revoke Harvard’s certification to admit international students — a move the University is now fighting in court.

The timing of having an immigrant deliver Harvard’s commencement address was especially poignant. Verghese himself acknowledged this symbolic importance, telling graduates that “When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps it’s fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me.”

This message resonated powerfully given the broader context. As reported by The Harvard Crimson, just one week prior, the Department of Homeland Security had threatened to revoke Harvard’s certification to admit international students—a move the University is actively fighting in court. The choice of Verghese as speaker thus represented more than ceremony; it was a statement about Harvard’s commitment to international education and diversity.

Verghese’s personal journey embodies the immigrant experience that has long defined American excellence. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Indian parents, he lived through a military coup and completed his medical training in India during Indira Gandhi’s declaration of emergency rule before eventually coming to the United States.

His closing words challenged graduates to honor the sacrifices that made their education possible: “Make your decisions worthy of those who supported, nurtured, and sacrificed for you. And make good use of your time.”

The physician-writer has built a distinguished career that bridges medicine and literature. He received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2015 and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2023. His literary works include the bestselling novel “Cutting for Stone” and “My Own Country,” which chronicles his experience treating AIDS patients in rural Tennessee during the epidemic’s early years.

A Message of Moral Clarity

In his address, as reported by The Harvard Crimson, Verghese directly confronted the political tensions surrounding the university. He praised Harvard’s leadership for taking a stand against what he characterized as federal overreach, telling graduates that “More people than you realize are grateful for Harvard for the example it has set” through its “clarity in affirming and courageously defending the essential values of this university, and indeed of this nation.”

The speech was particularly striking for its unflinching critique of the current administration. Verghese condemned what he called a “cascade of draconian government measures” that have created widespread uncertainty and suffering. His words carried additional weight given his personal history of living under authoritarian rule in Ethiopia.

Despite his sharp political commentary, Verghese’s address ultimately celebrated the enduring promise of America as a place where immigrants can thrive. Drawing from his medical career, he shared stories of treating AIDS patients in rural Tennessee—young men who taught him about true courage and compassion in the face of suffering and stigma.

The speech centered on three core themes: moral clarity revealed through difficult decisions, the necessity of compassion, and the precious nature of time. He concluded by reading a letter from one of his former patients to his mother, which ended with the profound observation: “If anyone ever asks you if I went to heaven, tell them this: I just came from there. No place could conceivably be as wonderful as where I’ve spent these last 30 years.”

A Moment of Institutional Courage

Harvard graduates celebrated commencement on Thursday at a pivotal time for the Ivy League school, cheering speakers who emphasized maintaining a diverse and international student body and standing up for truth in the face of attacks by the Trump administration. Verghese’s address represented more than a graduation speech—it was a moment of institutional courage, delivered by someone who understands both the fragility of democratic institutions and the transformative power of American opportunity.

His closing words challenged graduates to honor the sacrifices that made their education possible: “Make your decisions worthy of those who supported, nurtured, and sacrificed for you. And make good use of your time.” In a moment when Harvard faces unprecedented federal pressure, these words carried particular resonance about the responsibility that comes with privilege and the importance of using education in service of justice.