Harvard University and the University of Toronto have announced a joint contingency plan to support international graduate students who may be unable to re-enter the United States due to visa restrictions.

Under the arrangement, eligible Harvard students from the John F. Kennedy School of Government could continue their studies in Canada through a visiting student programme at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. The initiative would blend instruction from both Kennedy and Munk faculty members, according to a statement by the deans of the two schools.

The plan comes In response to ongoing uncertainty following an attempt last month by the US Department of Homeland Security to revoke Harvard’s ability to enrol international students—a move that was later blocked by a federal judge.

“To address potential disruptions, HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they cannot make it to our campus this year,” said Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein.

The contingency plan would only be activated if sufficient demand arises from students unable to return to the US. It will be available to international students who have already completed at least one year at Harvard’s US campus.

The announcement follows broader tensions between Harvard and the administration of President Donald Trump, which has threatened to withhold billions in federal research funding. The administration has accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism and campus unrest, and of violating reporting regulations and engaging in questionable collaborations with foreign governments, including China’s Communist Party.

According to Harvard’s International Office, 52% of Kennedy School students in the past five years have come from outside the United States. The school currently hosts 739 students from 92 countries in programmes focused on public policy and leadership. (AriseNews TV)