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Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Indian Express
Harvard advises international students to avoid Boston Logan airport amid heightened US border scrutiny: Report
Harvard University has advised its international students to exercise caution while using social media and to reconsider flying into Boston's Logan International Airport due to intensified scrutiny at US entry points, according to a Bloomberg report. This guidance follows a recent preliminary legal victory for Harvard against the Trump administration's move to restrict the university's ability to enroll international students. In a private call hosted by university officials, students were briefed on the increased risks they may face during travel and visa screening. According to the report, Harvard officials warned that US State Department personnel can review social media activity of student visa applicants, and US Customs and Border Protection has the authority to inspect electronic devices at the border. Students may be denied entry based on what is found on their phones or laptops. While it's unclear whether the screening is done manually or with artificial intelligence, the university reportedly told students that certain content, such as pro-Palestinian messages, antisemitic remarks, or posts critical of the US, could be flagged as problematic. Even minor prior interactions with law enforcement were mentioned as potential red flags. The university cautioned that attempting to erase or wipe devices before travel could trigger further suspicion from border agents, according to the report. These warnings were shared with students who attended the call, which was hosted by Maureen Martin, Director of Immigration Services at Harvard, and Jason Corral, a staff attorney at the university's immigration and refugee clinic. During the same briefing, Harvard staff recommended that international students from Iran and China, particularly those enrolled in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and artificial intelligence programmes, should be extra cautious during their travel to the United States, according to Bloomberg. These students are considered more likely to face heightened scrutiny at ports of entry. Jason Corral advised Iranian students, in particular, to avoid Logan Airport due to previous incidents and instead opt for other major airports such as New York's John F Kennedy International Airport. He stated that while there is not enough conclusive evidence to rank airports by safety, JFK, Chicago's O'Hare, and Los Angeles International Airport were perceived by some attendees as safer alternatives to Boston, according to the report. 'At this time there is not enough evidence to say definitively that any airport is better or worse,' Corral was quoted by Bloomberg. The increased caution follows the case of Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard researcher originally from Russia, who was detained at Logan Airport earlier this year. According to Bloomberg, Petrova was stopped by immigration authorities in February upon returning from France. She was accused of smuggling frog embryos into the US and spent four months in federal detention before being released on bail in June. She was later indicted on further charges. The advisory to students comes amid broader political tensions between Harvard and the federal government. According to the Bloomberg report, the Trump administration has increasingly targeted Harvard as part of its efforts to reshape US higher education. The administration has already revoked over $2.6 billion in research funding for the university and has threatened to strip it of its tax-exempt status. Initial accusations centered on claims that the university tolerated antisemitism, but the scope has since widened to include criticisms of political bias and affirmative action in admissions and hiring. Despite these developments, Bloomberg reports that it remains unclear whether students at Harvard are being treated differently from those at other institutions. The federal government is currently appealing the preliminary injunction that temporarily protects Harvard's ability to enroll international students, keeping the situation fluid and uncertain for both students and administrators.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Harvard issues travel advisory for international students: 5 crucial things to know before you fly
Pic credit - Gemini Amid growing concerns over immigration scrutiny and digital privacy, Harvard University has issued a strong advisory for its international student community. The guidance was shared during a closed-door session hosted by Harvard's International Office and the university's immigration support group at Harvard Law School. It comes in the wake of a preliminary court injunction obtained by Harvard to block the Trump administration's attempt to bar the university from enrolling foreign students. The advisory provides students with important recommendations on how to navigate the US immigration system more safely. From airport choices to electronic device security, here are six critical takeaways international students should consider before arriving in the United States. Avoid Logan International Airport when possible Students were advised to avoid entering the US through Boston's Logan International Airport due to reported instances of heightened immigration scrutiny. While the university did not make an official directive, it suggested that students choose alternative points of entry such as John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Chicago O'Hare, or Los Angeles International Airport. Jason Corral, a staff attorney with Harvard Law School, highlighted that students from Iran, in particular, had reported facing increased questioning at Logan. He acknowledged that there is not enough evidence to definitively rank one airport as safer than another, but noted that airports with more international traffic may result in smoother entry experiences. Prepare for electronic device searches and social media reviews The advisory placed significant emphasis on the risk of digital searches at US ports of entry. Students were informed that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to examine electronic devices such as phones, laptops, and tablets. In addition, the US State Department may review publicly accessible social media accounts as part of the visa assessment process. According to Harvard staff, content that is politically charged or critical of US policies may raise concerns among immigration officials. Students were cautioned that posts related to pro-Palestinian movements, antisemitism, or negative commentary about the United States could be flagged during screenings. Avoid wiping devices before travel Although it may seem safer to remove data from devices before traveling, Harvard warned against this approach. Cleaning or resetting a device could be interpreted as an attempt to conceal information and may prompt further questioning. Instead, students were advised to bring only essential devices, log out of unnecessary accounts, and avoid carrying personal content that could trigger concern. Harvard emphasized that discretion is important, but transparency is equally necessary. Be aware of any prior legal encounters Even minor past interactions with law enforcement can attract attention at the border. The advisory stated that students with prior arrests, citations, or legal proceedings should seek legal guidance before traveling and ensure they carry appropriate documentation. US immigration officers may treat infractions differently from authorities in a student's home country. What may be considered trivial abroad can be viewed with greater seriousness by American officials. Students from Iran and China should exercise extra caution Given the ongoing geopolitical tensions, students from Iran and China were given more specific guidance. Those pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or artificial intelligence were urged to be especially careful while traveling. Although no single airport is officially designated as more secure, anecdotal reports suggest that JFK, Chicago O'Hare, and LAX may present fewer difficulties than Logan. Harvard officials advised these students to keep their travel itineraries and academic materials clearly documented and readily accessible. Harvard's clash with the Trump administration This advisory is part of a broader conflict between Harvard and the federal government. The Trump administration has targeted the university's international student admissions, questioned its tax-exempt status, and withdrawn over 2.6 billion dollars in federal research funding. While the administration initially cited antisemitism concerns, its criticism has since expanded to Harvard's diversity policies and alleged ideological bias. Harvard's recent legal win against the administration's restrictions on foreign student enrollment is a temporary safeguard. The advisory reflects the university's recognition that political headwinds continue to shape immigration policy in real time. Vigilance is no longer optional Harvard's message to its international students is clear. Success in the classroom begins with a smooth entry into the country. Students must now take responsibility not only for their academic records but also for their online presence, legal histories, and travel logistics. In a climate where policy and perception intersect at the border, awareness and preparation are essential. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Airport choice to social media: What Harvard University advised new foreign students amid Trump crackdown
Harvard University has advised international students to be cautious about various things while landing in the US, including social media posts and data on their electronic devices. The showdown between the Donald Trump administration and Harvard University is continuing.(AP/ Reuters) According to a Bloomberg report, the school also warned some groups against arriving at Boston's Logan International Airport. The advisory was given by the representatives from Harvard's international office and a Harvard Law School immigration support group to the new international students in a support group call held last week. This comes as the university won a preliminary injunction against the Donald Trump administration's efforts to block its ability to enroll foreign students. The Harvard advisory for foreign students Bloomberg reported, citing students who participated in the private call, that Harvard administrators warned new foreign students that US state department officials have the authority to review social media accounts for student visa applicants, while US Customs and Border Protection can examine personal electronic devices and reject entry based on their contents. The students quoted in the report said the call's hosts included Maureen Martin, Harvard's director of immigration services, and Jason Corral, a staff attorney at Harvard Law School's immigration and refugee clinic. The university representatives said it wasn't clear whether the social media and device assessment was done by federal employees or artificial intelligence (AI). The exact red flags are also not known, although the focus seems to be on pro-Palestine content or anything that could be deemed anti-Semitic. Posts derogatory to the United States and its government also appear to be a point of focus. Any previous bumps into law enforcement could also attract attention. The school also warned that wiping devices clean risks inviting suspicion, according to the students. Harvard's advise to students from Iran and China The Harvard representatives reportedly advised Iranians and Chinese nationals studying in particular fields—including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and anything related to AI—to exercise particular caution when travelling. Iranians specifically have faced more scrutiny at Logan Airport and should fly into New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport instead, Jason Corral reportedly said on the call. It's not clear if other international students would face smoother immigration processes at other airports but several participants said they walked away from the call with the understanding that JFK, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport may be better options than Boston. Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard researcher, was stopped by immigration officials at Logan Airport in February on her return from France and accused of attempting to smuggle frog embryos into the country. She was released on bail from federal custody by a Boston judge in June after spending four months in detention, but was indicted on additional charges later that month. The White House has made Harvard its primary target in its mission to reshape higher education. In addition to the attempted crackdown on international student enrollment, the Trump administration has cancelled more than $2.6 billion in research funding for Harvard and threatened its tax-exempt status. The government initially accused the school of fostering antisemitism, but the attack has since broadened to include accusations of political bias and criticism of diversity initiatives in hiring and admissions. It's not clear if Harvard students are being treated differently than those at other universities. The Trump administration is appealing the injunction over its ban on Harvard's international student enrollment.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvard University to international students: Avoid entering US via this airport, instead fly into ...
Harvard University has advised international students to avoid entering the U.S. through Boston's Logan International Airport and instead consider flying into alternatives like New York's JFK, due to increased scrutiny at Logan. The university also urged students to be cautious about their social media activity and the content on their electronic devices while travelling. The warning comes after the university secured a preliminary court injunction blocking the Trump administration's attempt to stop it from enrolling foreign students. According to a Bloomberg report, the advice was given during a private call, hosted by Harvard's international office and a Harvard Law School immigration support group. Students who joined the call told the publication that the session was aimed to provide guidance on how to avoid visa and immigration issues. Social media posts may be reviewed by authorities During the call, Harvard staff told students that the US State Department officials can review social media accounts as part of the visa process. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials also have the authority to inspect personal electronic devices, such as phones and laptops, and may deny entry based on the content found. 'It's not clear whether this assessment is done by people or artificial intelligence,' Harvard representatives reportedly told students. They added that 'pro-Palestinian, antisemitic or posts derogatory of the US' appear to be among the kinds of content that could raise red flags. Students were also informed that previous run-ins with law enforcement, even for minor offenses, could draw attention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Khám phá nhà tiền chế giá rẻ tại Khu 2a Nomad's Notebook Nhấp vào đây Undo Harvard staff also warned that wiping a device clean before travel might raise suspicions. Harvard gives special travel advice for students from Iran and China As per the report, students from Iran and China were given additional advice. Jason Corral, a staff attorney at Harvard Law School's immigration and refugee clinic, reportedly advised Iranian students in particular to avoid Logan Airport, where they have faced higher levels of scrutiny. 'At this time there is not enough evidence to say definitively that any airport is better or worse,' Corral said, but noted that New York's JFK, Chicago O'Hare, and Los Angeles International airports might be better options for arrival. According to students on the call, Harvard representatives said those studying subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or anything related to artificial intelligence should be especially cautious when traveling. Tensions between Harvard and the White House Harvard has been on the radar of the Trump administration's push to change higher education. In addition to challenging the school's ability to admit international students, the administration has canceled over $2.6 billion in federal research funding and has questioned the university's tax-exempt status. The administration initially cited antisemitism as a concern but has since broadened its criticism to include Harvard's diversity programs and alleged political bias. Google Pixel 9 Pro After 1 Year: Still a Flagship Worth Buying in 2025? | Long-Term Review AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
