Harvard and University of Toronto Launch Backup Plan for International Students

 

Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy have partnered to create a contingency plan for international graduate students facing visa challenges in the United States. This move offers an alternative academic pathway for students who may be unable to return to the U.S. due to recent visa restrictions or entry limitations.

The program, which was announced in response to ongoing immigration uncertainties, allows eligible students to continue their studies in Canada. It will be available to international students who have already completed at least one year at Harvard. These students will be able to take courses taught jointly by faculty from both Harvard and the University of Toronto. The initiative aims to ensure academic continuity and minimize disruption for students affected by changing U.S. immigration policies.

This is the first international backup plan revealed since the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempted to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students last month. Although a federal judge has since blocked that move, concerns remain over the future of visa access. The contingency program will only be implemented if there is sufficient demand from students unable to re-enter the United States.

Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein emphasized that the school is committed to providing a world-class education regardless of where students are physically located. Over the past five years, more than half of Kennedy School students have come from outside the United States. Currently, the school enrolls 739 students from 92 countries.

The initiative also comes at a time of heightened tension between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has threatened to cut federal funding and accused the university of various violations related to campus policies and international affiliations.

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