Harvard University warns global students of airport checks, social media surveillance

India Today

11 hours ago

Amid growing immigration uncertainties, Harvard University has warned its international students to prepare for stricter scrutiny at US airports, particularly Boston Logan International Airport, and to carefully manage their digital footprints, including social media activity.During a recent Zoom webinar attended by over 500 students, Harvard International Office Director Maureen Martin and staff attorney Jason Corral from the Harvard Representation Initiative briefed attendees on what to expect while travelling to the US. The session focused on new immigration challenges, intensified border checks, and delays in visa processing that are causing anxiety amongst international students ahead of the upcoming academic year.advertisementStudents were advised to expect enhanced screening of their devices and social media profiles by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with particular attention reportedly being paid to posts related to politically sensitive topics, especially the Israel-Palestine conflict. In one instance shared during the meeting, a Harvard researcher was denied entry into the US due to past posts on the issue.
Martin and Corral cautioned students that CBP officials have the authority to examine laptops and phones at the border, including deleted files or wiped drives. Students were encouraged to avoid provocative content or humour online, particularly posts that could be interpreted as violent or controversial.According to student notes and a partial transcript, the speakers said that while it remains unclear whether CBP reviews are conducted manually or by artificial intelligence, the scope of such vetting is unknown—even to Harvard's immigration advisors.They acknowledged that Boston Logan has seen more incidents than other ports like JFK in New York or Chicago's O'Hare, prompting HRI to advise some students, particularly those from Iran, to consider alternate entry points. However, Corral later clarified to Bloomberg that there wasn't 'sufficient evidence' to confirm whether any airport is significantly more stringent.Compounding the uncertainty, visa processing by the US State Department came to a halt in late May and resumed only after a three-week gap. The pause came at a critical time for students aiming to arrive before the fall semester. Martin and Corral advised students to book any available visa appointments—even those scheduled after classes begin—so they can apply for expedited processing.They also shared that more students than usual are enquiring about deferring their admission or transferring to other institutions, reflecting growing concern over continued access to education in the US.The legal battle surrounding Harvard's ability to host international students adds further complexity. On May 22, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to revoke the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, a status required to enroll students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Harvard filed a legal challenge and secured temporary relief, but DHS followed up with a notice initiating a 30-day compliance review, which recently concluded.advertisementIn a statement reported by Bloomberg, a Harvard spokesperson said the university is 'actively engaging with the administrative process in good faith.' Martin and Corral told students that if the SEVP status is eventually revoked, Harvard would be prepared to challenge the decision in court.However, the broader uncertainty remains. A separate presidential proclamation issued by Donald Trump in early June, which blocked F and J visa holders sponsored by Harvard from entering the US, was also temporarily halted by the courts. But the administration has appealed the decision, and there is no clear timeline for when the case will be heard.Corral reportedly told students that there's no definitive answer on how long these legal proceedings will last or what the final outcome might be. If Harvard ultimately loses its SEVP certification, the impact would be significant—not just for incoming students, but for those already in the US.In such a scenario, Corral was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, 'Whether you're in the U.S. or abroad, your ability to remain enrolled or begin your program at Harvard would be severely affected.'- Ends