Harvard, Toronto Develop Contingency Plan for International Students

Harvard University and the University of Toronto have jointly developed a contingency plan allowing certain international students at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to continue their studies in Canada if visa restrictions block their return to the United States, amid President Donald Trump's renewed immigration enforcement efforts. This initiative, a first of its kind, would enable eligible students who have completed at least one year at Harvard to enroll at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, with courses co-taught by faculty from both institutions. The plan aims to reduce uncertainty and provide a safety net for affected students, but will only be implemented if there is sufficient demand from those unable to access U.S. campuses due to visa or travel bans. Harvard is currently engaged in legal battles against the Department of Homeland Security after claims that the administration improperly tried to restrict international student enrollment, with preliminary court rulings favoring the university. The program also includes options for online and blended learning to accommodate students worldwide. Both institutions stress their commitment to maintaining academic continuity and supporting their diverse international student populations during these exceptional political and immigration challenges.