Overview

• Harvard advised new international enrollees to use alternative U.S. airports such as JFK, O’Hare or LAX to reduce the risk of prolonged inspections at Boston Logan.
• University officials cautioned that State Department visa officers and Customs and Border Protection may review social media activity and inspect electronic devices, with flagged content potentially triggering entry denial.
• Students were warned that wiping devices completely before travel can raise suspicion and that careful management of online posts is essential to avoid raising red flags.
• The advisory included targeted guidance for students from Iran and China, especially those in STEM and AI fields, reflecting heightened scrutiny at specific ports of entry.
• This private advisory follows Harvard’s preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s enrollment restrictions, a ruling now under appeal as federal agencies expand biometric and device-vetting protocols.