Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) announced a contingency plan on Tuesday to address potential difficulties international students may face entering the U.S. for the upcoming semester. The plan would allow students unable to travel back to the U.S. this fall to either to study online or take classes at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
The contingency plan offers two primary options for affected students:
1. HKS Global Online Program:
- Open to both new and returning international students.
- Provides “best-in-class online instruction” by Harvard faculty.
- Includes up to three in-person convenings in major international cities where students can participate in credit-bearing sessions and co-curricular activities.
2. University of Toronto Collaboration:
- Open only to returning international students.
- Students can complete their studies through a combination of online and in-person classes taught by Harvard faculty and instructors at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
The Dean of Harvard Kennedy School, Jeremy Weinstein, emphasized that these plans will only materialize if there is sufficient demand from students unable to enter the U.S., reports Mass Live.
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“We are announcing these contingency plans now to alleviate the uncertainty many students feel,” Weinstein stated in a letter to the HKS community.
Hurdles Faced by International Students
International students, who comprise 59% of Harvard Kennedy School’s population from over 100 countries, have faced significant challenges in light of recent U.S. government policies and restrictions, reports the Harvard Crimson. These include:
- Visa Revocations:
- The Department of Homeland Security revoked a certification allowing international students to study at Harvard, compelling the institution to provide foreign student information or lose its certification.
- Although a temporary restraining order blocked the revocation attempts, many visa applications remain under administrative processing, delaying travel plans.
- Travel Bans:
- An existing travel ban impacting 12 nations and restrictions on seven others could prevent many new and returning HKS students from entering the U.S., further complicating their plans.
- Proclamation from the Trump Administration:
- President Donald Trump issued an order barring international students from entering the U.S. for academic purposes and directed increased scrutiny, such as heightened vetting of student visa applicants’ social media presence.
Despite these challenges, federal courts continue to issue rulings in favor of institutions like Harvard, facilitating ongoing support for international students. A decision recently overturned federal attempts to prevent foreign students from entering the country.
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The Harvard Kennedy School contingency announcement underscores the uncertain landscape for international students in the U.S. The proposed solutions provide flexibility and access to world-class education despite ongoing visa restrictions and travel bans. Many students, however, face significant obstacles as their visa paperwork remains delayed or stalled.
