Last updated: April 10, 2025

We have heard from many Harvard community members concerned about recent reports of U.S. immigration enforcement actions. We know this is a very difficult time, and we are monitoring the situation closely. While there are still many unknowns, we are providing answers to some of the most immediate questions and concerns. We will continue to update this page regularly as we learn more.  

ICE agents must present a valid judicial warrant or get your permission to enter your home or dorm.  

If ICE agents come to your on-campus home, you may keep the door closed and ask if they have a warrant. If they do not have a warrant, you have the right not to let them in (opening the door could be seen as granting permission for them to enter and to search your space). If the agents say they have a warrant, you may ask them to slide it under the door so you can read it.  

Let the agents know that you are not obstructing their process, but you need to consult with campus authorities.  

Immediately contact HUPD (617-495-1215) and, if the agents provide a warrant, the Office of General Counsel (OGC) (617-495-1280). Wait for HUPD to arrive so that they may verify the agents’ information and warrant, if they provide one, before opening the door. Ask for the agents’ names, identification numbers, and agency affiliation and write them down.  

You have the right not to sign any paperwork provided by ICE agents who ask to enter your private space without speaking to a lawyer first.  See below (“Can Harvard find me an immigration attorney?”). 

Just like at your home or work, you do not have to answer questions or sign documents if immigration agents stop you in a public area, and you can request to leave at any time. You have the right to refuse a search. Without your permission, agents can only “pat down” your clothing if they suspect you have a weapon.  

You do not need to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or when or how you came to the United States, and you do not need to show identification documents from your home country.

As of April 17, 2025, we are aware of 12 international students and recent graduates who have had their F-1 visa status terminated. 

We have a protocol in place for checking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records daily. We promptly notify individuals of any revocations and refer them to legal assistance. To protect their privacy, the University will not publicly disclose the identity of any person whose visa is revoked.  

For individuals who have had their visas revoked, we are not aware of the details of the revocations or the reasons for them, but we understand that similar revocations have been occurring at other institutions across the country.   

Impacted students should consult with their dean of students and/or registrars for questions related to academic program requirements and their dean of administration for work-related questions. Impacted scholars, e.g. postdocs, should consult with the postdoc office, faculty affairs, or their human resources contact, as appropriate. 

We will continue daily SEVIS record checks and will notify any affected students and scholars immediately. 

Harvard will not share personal information with immigration authorities except as required by law or legal process (such as a subpoena or warrant). This includes students’ and employees’ personal information, academic records, or unpublished research.  

If the University is required to provide this information to comply with a subpoena or warrant, it will notify affected students unless the University is prohibited from doing so.  

More information is available in this advisory from the University’s Office of the General Counsel. 

Generally, you should always carry digital or printed copies of your travel documents when traveling within the U.S. and all of your physical documents when traveling internationally. 

See our guidance on travel within the U.S. and outside of the country, as well as what to do if you have an issue while traveling, including losing your travel documents or experiencing an immigration-related emergency.   

Your decision to travel is a personal matter. If you’re planning to travel outside the U.S., we encourage you to assess your risks, have contingency plans, and consider whether the possibility of a delayed return would affect your ability to resume on-campus research, work, or study. You can consult with the following offices to discuss your travel and make an informed decision: 

• International students and scholars sponsored by Harvard should contact their HIO advisor prior to departure to discuss any international travel plans.  

• Foreign nationals not present on a Harvard-sponsored visa should arrange a consult with the Harvard Representation Initiative (HRI) prior to departure to discuss their individual circumstances.

• For questions related to safety and security, health, culture, or outbound immigration for Harvard-related travel abroad, individuals should contact Global Support Services (GSS). GSS is a resource for all students, faculty, staff, and researchers and can advise on international travel registration, International SOS, student pre-departure requirements, travel resources, and more.

We recognize the uncertainty of the situation and encourage you to be as flexible as possible with your travel plans. 

International travelers may face added scrutiny and enhanced screening at U.S. ports of entry. The U.S. government asserts broad authority to search all electronic devices at the border. Review OGC’s guidance about border security measures at ports of entry and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research’s U.S. arrival guidance for foreign students and exchange visitors.  

If you are outside the U.S., attempt to enter or re-enter, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) takes you into secondary inspection, understand that you will not have access to your cell phone or computer during the time you spend in secondary inspection. Accordingly, if you are traveling to the U.S. and you have concerns that you may encounter difficulties at the border, you should consider (1) sharing travel plans, including flight information and your scheduled arrival time, with a family member or friend; (2) advising this travel contact that you will confirm your arrival with them when your flight lands and again after you have passed through CBP; and (3) sharing HIO’s contact information with that travel contact, so that they may call HIO if meaningful time has passed since your flight arrived and they have not heard from you. 

The HIO is the primary U.S. immigration resource for international students and scholars whose visas are sponsored by Harvard, and we are committed to keeping our community informed. Our website provides information, resources, and important updates. If you cannot find the information you need, contact your HIO advisor and arrange a time to discuss your concerns. 

We will email our international student and scholar community regarding any updates, and we will post them to our What’s New page. We recommend bookmarking that page and checking back regularly for updates.  

Similarly, the HRI is a resource available to advise foreign nationals not present on a Harvard-sponsored visa.