Harvard Finds International Student Lifeline Amid Trump Visa Showdown
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) has brokered a deal with the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to accept foreign students should the Trump administration succeed in blocking Harvard from enrolling them.
In remarks provided to Newsweek via email, HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein thanked the Munk School—"and other partners"—for their help "to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve.
In similar remarks, Munk School Dean Janice Stein said that the agreement arose out of "exceptional times" and that the school "looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools."
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump targeted Harvard University and other higher education institutions, aiming to limit pro-Palestinian activism and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.
While Columbia University in New York City agreed to work with the administration, Harvard has refused to bow to its demands. In response, Trump canceled or froze billions of dollars in grants and contracts and attempted to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status.
The president then tried to block the school from enrolling foreign students, but this past week, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction that extends a temporary order she had issued earlier this month that halted Trump's June 4 proclamation blocking foreign students from attending Harvard.
University spokesperson Jason Newton said in a statement to Newsweek that the order will "continue to allow Harvard to host international students and scholars while this case moves forward."
Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.What To Know
Weinstein in a letter to students on Friday announced contingency plans in the event that the Trump administration ultimately wins its case and is able to block international students from enrolling at Harvard and it schools.
Among those plans are the HKS Global program for new and returning students, in which they could take online classes and attend three intensive, in-person "convenings" in cities around the world led by HKS faculty.
The other option is for returning students to attend the HKS at Munk School program, which would include a mix of online and in-person lessons taught by HKS faculty and instructors from the University of Toronto.
"We are announcing these contingency plans now to alleviate the uncertainty many students feel, but we will not officially launch these programs unless there is sufficient demand from students who are unable to come to the United States due to visa or entry restrictions," Weinstein wrote. "If these programs become necessary, I am fully confident that we will provide a world-class HKS experience for any student who participates in them."
According to information available on the HKS website, the goal of this program is to ensure students still receive their Harvard diplomas, which can only happen if students take "a certain percentage of their courses exclusively with HKS faculty"—excluding the possibility of students bypassing the issue by using the "visiting students" program at Munk.
HKS currently enrolls students from over 100 countries, comprising an average of 52 percent of classes, according to a school spokesperson.
In a YouGov poll surveying 3,717 American adults on May 23, 57 percent found it unacceptable for the federal government to block a university's ability to enroll international students, while the remainder of those surveyed were split evenly between finding it acceptable or saying they were unsure.
What People Are Saying
Weinstein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "At Harvard Kennedy School, we bring together the world's best students –– from the United States and across the world –– and train them to tackle the world's biggest problems. With these contingency plans in place, 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. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Munk School and other partners, who are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve."
Stein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "These are exceptional times. If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge. Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools."
Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said in a previous statement to Newsweek: "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. The Trump administration is committed to restoring common sense to our student visa system; no lawsuit, this or any other, is going to change that. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side."
Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: "Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so."
He added: "They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
What Happens Next
The case will continue to work its way up to the Supreme Court, where Harvard University and the Trump administration will seek a final resolution. Should the administration succeed, the university will have these programs ready to launch.
As Trump indicated in his Truth Social post, the university and administration may reach a deal before the case is settled in court.
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