Dear Harvard College Students,

By now you have received President Bacow’s email that Harvard and MIT have jointly filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the new policy for international student visas. This new policy has raised serious and urgent concerns for international students. While many questions remain unanswered, I can state unequivocally that the new visa policy stands to undermine the values that we cherish as a community and the choices we have made to protect public health.

As we work to understand the full impact of this announcement on Harvard College international students, I want to emphasize again that our decisions about the upcoming academic year have been guided by our concerns for the health and safety of our community, well as our commitment to academic continuity and degree progression. While this new guidance complicates that thoughtful path forward for our international students, we are working with colleagues across the University to provide international students with solutions.

The Harvard International Office (HIO) is currently assessing this new guidance. At 9:00 a.m. EDT today, the College will host a webinar for international students (HarvardKey required) with the Vice Provost for International Affairs, Dean for Undergraduate Education, and representatives from Harvard’s International Office. The panelists will discuss the new guidance on remote learning.

I understand how frightening and difficult it is for our international students to be facing this new uncertainty, and I want to assure you that we are committed to supporting you during this difficult and rapidly evolving situation. As soon as we know more, we will update you.

Semper veritas,

Rakesh Khurana
Danoff Dean of Harvard College