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Federal Actions Resources

Last updated: May 1, 2025

Tufts University continues to evaluate the impacts of executive actions taken by the Trump administration since January 20, 2025. This page shares real-time information about the impact of recent federal actions on our teaching and research mission and on members of the Tufts community. It also provides updates about the university’s response. As additional information becomes available, we will share it here as quickly and thoroughly as we are able. If you are a Tufts community member and have a question that is not addressed here, please share your question with us.

Community Messages

Answers to Community Questions

Research

Detention of Rümeysa Öztürk

Immigration and Travel

Safety

How You Can Help

Media Outreach

 

Research: Guidance for Tufts Researchers

How is Tufts managing and responding to the changing federal funding landscape?
Recent Executive Orders may signal shifts in federal priorities, potentially impacting both existing awards and pending funding decisions from federal agencies and sponsors. As these changes continue to unfold, Tufts leaders are working together to keep our community informed about federal research-related actions and the university's response, provide guidance, and share resources to help researchers navigate the shifting landscape. Our leaders also continue to advocate for our research mission and community on multiple external fronts. Tufts University joined with numerous Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions, the AAU itself, the American Council on Education (ACE), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in a lawsuit to challenge the administration’s decision, announced on February 7, to cut the NIH facilities and administrative costs to a flat rate of 15 percent. Tufts leaders continue to engage with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, as well as Congresspeople Katherine Clark and Jim McGovern, to seek their support on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies, sharing detailed insights into the community impact of funding reductions on our research programs. These advocacy efforts will continue and we encourage researchers to share information with the Provost's Office that can strengthen our case with policymakers.

 

How will I know if my grant has been affected? What should I do if I receive a stop-work or termination notice?
Most research currently proceeds as planned. Unless a sponsor issues a written stop-work order, Tufts research teams should continue work on federally funded projects. If a stop-work order is received, Research Administration will notify affected Principal Investigators (PIs). Researchers should follow agency guidance and consult program officers as needed. If you receive a written stop-work, funding pause, or termination notice, forward it to your local research administrator (RA) immediately. Your RA will involve the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) and OVPR, along with University Counsel (UC), will advise you on next steps. Do not take any personnel actions without consulting OVPR. If you receive a verbal stop-work order, request an official written notice in addition to notifying your local RA.

 

Should I continue applying for grants?
Yes, investigators should continue to submit applications for active federal solicitations. Use the latest posted guidance, even if components may conflict with executive orders, to ensure applications are accepted.

 

How can I locate archived data?
The Tufts Libraries maintain a curated list of resources for Locating Archived Data and Information.

 

Where can I find additional related guidance for Tufts researchers?
The OVPR has compiled this University Guidance for Researchers to help you effectively manage proposals awards. They are also regularly providing Updates on Federal Impacts to Research at Tufts, including additional resources as well as related federal communications and responses from Tufts and other higher education organizations.

 

Research: NIH Funding

Last updated: February 2025

Why did Tufts University join other research universities in the lawsuit over the Facilities and Administrative costs cuts?
Tufts University joined with numerous Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions, the AAU itself, the American Council on Education (ACE), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in a lawsuit to challenge the administration’s decision, announced on February 7, to cut the NIH facilities and administrative costs to a flat rate of 15 percent. We believe that these changes were not made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and, therefore, are in violation of the law. The long-standing research partnership between the federal government and institutions of higher education has fueled innovation that has led to cures for diseases, treatments to reduce suffering, and devices to help people live longer and healthier lives. University-based research has strengthened America’s national security and improved our economy through job creation, increased spending, and rising tax revenue. We welcome conversations with the administration about how we can do our work better and how we can strengthen a partnership that is the envy of the world.

 

How much NIH funding does Tufts receive each year?
As of fiscal year 2025, Tufts is receiving $115.2 million in NIH funds, including $88.3 million in direct costs and $26.9 million in facilities and administrative costs.

 

What are Facilities and Administrative costs (also referred to as Indirect Costs)?
Facilities and administrative costs include funds to cover Tufts’ basic research infrastructure and equipment, including biocontainment laboratories, bench research space, fume hoods, autoclaves, high-speed data processing, security and data storage for sensitive health information, and refrigeration for specimen storage. A cap on facilities and administrative costs, like the one proposed, will lead to a decline in the university’s research volume and scope.In addition, facilities and administrative costs fund the administration of awards, including staff who ensure compliance with a vast number of regulatory mandates from agencies such as NIH. These mandates serve many vital functions, including protecting human and animal subjects involved in research; ensuring research integrity and compliance; properly managing and disposing of chemicals and biological agents used in research; preventing financial conflicts of interest; managing funds; preventing intellectual property, technologies, or national security expertise from being inappropriately accessed by foreign adversaries; and providing the high level of cybersecurity, data storage, and computing environments mandated for regulated data.

 

What are some of the significant projects that NIH funding is supporting at Tufts?
NIH funding is used to support more than 200 projects across the university. Below are some of the more significant projects:

  • The Tufts University Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (CIMAR) is conducting research to protect humanity from the global threat of antimicrobial resistance or “superbugs.” Tufts is studying how drug-resistant microorganisms are outpacing the efficacy of modern medicine (antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-parasitics) and threatening to return us to an era when life-threatening infectious diseases like tuberculosis or pneumonia were a death sentence. This NIH-funded research prioritizes stopping the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms by studying relationships among people, animals, environments, and food sources.
  • In addition to studying anti-microbial resistance, Tufts is also actively researching other forms of vector-borne infectious disease, including a longitudinal study of chronic Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can result in prolonged and debilitating symptoms in some patients. This NIH-funded study will enroll patients with acute Lyme disease from rural and suburban community health centers over a 5-year period to study the cause, prevention, and eventual cure of Lyme disease. As an added benefit, this study will create one of the world’s largest specimen banks for the future study of post-infection syndromes beyond Lyme disease.
  • Tufts University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), one of 60 NIH National Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs at leading US medical research centers, accelerates translation of biomedical research into impact on patient care and public health. It provides education, research facilities, biostatistics and study design consultation, informatics support, and many other resources. Tufts CTSI has been a national leader in research education, innovations in research design, testing treatments in real-world care, and engaging all stakeholders in the research process across institutions and disciplines. Since its start in 2008, across New England academic and clinical institutions, Tufts CTSI has provided expert consultations to over 13,000 researchers, supported the training of over 100 students and fellows, supported careers of over 30 junior faculty, and has provided research training resources nationally.

 

How are Tufts University’s Facilities and Administrative rates determined?
A cost reimbursement rates are established in accordance with prescriptive federal guidelines and based on the university’s costs already incurred and documented in the university’s financial statements and systems. Facilities and administrative rates are determined in negotiation with a lead federal agency on a regular basis for a particular amount of time.

 

What are Tufts University’s current Facilities and Administrative rates?
Our current negotiated rates can be found on the OVPR website.

 

Are there research-related costs that Tufts University does not recover?
Yes. Even the currently negotiated Facilities and Administrative cost recovery rates do not cover the full cost of NIH research grants. We have absorbed these costs because of the tremendous value this research brings to our university and the world. However, the more significant losses we would face due to these cuts cannot be fully absorbed into the university budget.

 

Research: USAID Award Terminations

How has Tufts been impacted by USAID award terminations?
To date, USAID award terminations have impacted 12 projects involving Tufts University, with eight of those projects involving direct awards to the university. USAID had committed $64.2 million for the projects, of which $54.8 million was spent, leaving $9.4 million in unspent funds that were terminated by USAID. Through the 12 USAID-funded programs, 43 individuals were sponsored to work in various roles, including faculty, research staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students. The university is working with the researchers and their schools to assess and address the impact of these and any additional award terminations that might be made in the days ahead.

 

What are some of the significant projects at Tufts that have been impacted?
USAID awards that were terminated included support for consequential research, including:

  • Preventing the spillover of infectious diseases from animals to humans, mitigating the risk of pandemics and emerging diseases like Ebola, Zika, and avian influenza.
  • Creating early warning systems and humanitarian responses in parts of Africa, with implications for potential U.S. peacekeeping, counterterrorism or conflict management interventions.
  • Developing ways to provide more accurate, timely and targeted humanitarian assistance to equip decision-makers with better information that could help manage hotspots of humanitarian crises and potential resulting instability.
  • Efforts to combat food insecurity, improve nutrition, and build sustainable food systems with implications for regional security that could require U.S. intervention.

 

Research: Department of Energy Research at Tufts

What was the new policy announced by the Department of Energy?

The Department of Energy (DOE) released a new policy titled “Department of Energy Overhauls Policy for College and University Research, Saving $405 Million Annually for American Taxpayers.” on April 11, 2025. This policy introduced significant changes to the way indirect costs are handled for grants awarded to institutions of higher education (IHEs), implementing a 15% indirect cost cap on university research grants funded by the DOE.

 

How will this new policy impact DOE grants?

If put into effect, all DOE grants to IHEs will be subject to a 15% cap on indirect cost recovery. This represents a major departure from prior practice and has serious implications for the financial sustainability of university research.

 

Has there been any legal action to challenge this policy?

On April 14, 2025, the Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities jointly filed a new lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, along with a number of impacted research university co-plaintiffs, seeking to halt the proposed DOE F&A cut. Tufts University has submitted a declaration in support of the legal action challenging the DOE’s new policy, aligning with broader efforts to preserve fair and sustainable research funding practices.

 

What is the status of the lawsuit?
On April 16, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that halts the Department of Energy (DOE) from implementing its recently announced 15% cap on Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs for grants to institutions of higher education.

 

What does the TRO specifically do?

  • Stops enforcement of the 15% F&A cap as outlined in the DOE’s policy update.
  • Prevents grant termination based on institutions’ refusal to accept the reduced indirect cost rate.
  • Requires DOE to notify all affected funding recipients of the TRO by April 17, 2025.
  • Mandates biweekly updates from the DOE to the court on the disbursement of federal assistance funds.

 

What are the next steps in the legal process?

  • The DOE must file its opposition to the TRO by Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
  • Plaintiffs may submit a reply by Friday, April 25, 2025.
  • An in-person court hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

 

What does this mean for institutions currently receiving DOE grants?
For now, institutions are not required to comply with the 15% F&A cap, and existing grants cannot be terminated due to noncompliance with the proposed rate reduction. Institutions can continue operating under their negotiated indirect cost rates while the legal process continues.

 

Detention of Rümeysa Öztürk

What happened?
On Tuesday, March 25, Rümeysa Öztürk, a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the School of Arts and Sciences Department of Child Study and Human Development, was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outside an off-campus apartment building in Somerville, Massachusetts.

 

Did Tufts know this was going to happen?
No. The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event, and the off-campus location in Somerville where this took place is not affiliated with Tufts University.

 

Was Rümeysa Öztürk on-campus when DHS arrested her?
No. Rümeysa was on her way to an Iftar gathering with friends at the Interfaith Center when she was detained but her arrest occurred outside an off-campus apartment building in Somerville, Massachusetts. As noted by the Massachusetts Attorney General in her statement on March 26, the footage of her arrest captured by neighbors was disturbing.

 

Where is Rümeysa Öztürk now?
Although the Federal Court in Boston ordered that DHS should not remove her from Massachusetts without providing the Court with advance notice, we have learned and verified that she is now being held in Louisiana. Her immigration counsel has filed a habeas petition on her behalf.

 

Why did a Vermont federal judge deny Rümeysa’s request to be released from custody?
During a scheduling conference on Monday, April 7, Vermont District Court Judge William K. Sessions III said he could not consider Rümeysa’s request to be released on bail until he rules on whether the court has jurisdiction over a petition challenging the legality of her detention. Court records show that Judge Sessions has set Rümeysa’s next hearing for April 14. (Updated 4/9/25)

 

What has Tufts been doing to help Rümeysa Öztürk?
We are in touch with her parents and legal team.. Following university protocol, the Office of University Counsel was ready to connect her, if desired, with external legal resources with relevant expertise. Our leaders remain in ongoing contact with local, state, and federal officials with the hope that Rümeysa will be afforded her due process rights. Our immigration counsel continues to be in touch with hers, and on April 2, 2025, Tufts University submitted this declaration in support of a motion filed by her legal team in Öztürk v. Hyde in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. On April 4, the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts granted that motion and ordered her case be transferred to the U.S. District Court in Vermont, and not the Western District of Louisiana. We will continue to follow this matter closely and work to gather additional information.

 

Immigration: Visa Revocations

Last updated: May 1, 2025

The media is reporting that the State Department has revoked visas of more international students without notice to universities. What information does Tufts have about this?
The Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently began an enhanced effort to terminate the legal status and revoke the visas of international students they have identified as allegedly having criminal records or as being a threat to national security. On April 24, ICE began reversing some of these terminations.

 

What is visa revocation?
Visa revocation refers to the cancellation of the visa in a passport used to request entry to the U.S. in a particular status. Historically, this simply meant that an individual with a revoked visa would need to re-apply for a visa if they chose to travel and re-enter the country.

Under the new administration, students’ F-1 status in the U.S. (as reflected in SEVIS—the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is also being terminated in connection with the visa revocation. SEVIS record termination implies that an F-1 or J-1 student or scholar loses legal status to remain in the United States which, as reported by the media, has resulted in students leaving the country or requiring legal assistance to protect themselves from enforcement actions.

 

Are any Tufts students impacted?
Since Rümeysa Öztürk was taken into DHS custody on Tuesday, March 25, a total of two enrolled F-1 international students and seven post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) participants at Tufts have had their SEVIS records/F-1 status terminated. As of May 1, seven of the nine terminated SEVIS records at Tufts University have been returned to active status. Six reactivated records are F-1 student visa holders who are alumni on post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training). The seventh reactivated record is a current student. We are continuing to monitor the situation. The International Center has been in contact with all impacted students and alumni to provide support and resources. (Last updated May 1, 2025)

 

How will students or scholars be informed of visa revocation or SEVIS termination?
A visa revocation should be communicated to the visa holder via an email or letter from the consular post/Department of State. Students, scholars, and employee visa-holders should make sure they are checking their email, particularly the account used for the DS-160 or visa process, for any consular notifications and notify the International Center immediately to verify legitimacy.

In addition, the International Center is regularly monitoring SEVIS records multiple times per day for new F-1 or J-1 terminations or reversals of terminations. Please note that all individuals who have been impacted to this date have already been informed and connected to resources. If we see continued SEVIS terminations or reversals of terminations, we will notify impacted individuals as soon as possible to ensure that they, too, are connected to resources and, if necessary, external immigration counsel.

 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned visa revocations for South Sudanese visa-holders this weekend. Does this impact Tufts students, scholars, and employees?
The U.S. Department of State issued a press release on Saturday, April 5, 2025. We are continuing to monitor for further information to learn whether this action will impact our international community and whether it will also be combined with SEVIS record termination. We have been in touch with Tufts-sponsored visa holders from South Sudan and will continue to provide support and updates.

 

Immigration: Individual Status and Situations

Who can help me at Tufts with questions about my visa?
Contact the International Center as your first step. The I-Center manages F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, and other types of visas for which Tufts serves as the immigration or visa sponsor. In certain cases, the I-Center may recommend that you consult an external immigration attorney. This may include if your visa is not sponsored by Tufts, or for complex personal immigration matters such as change of status applications, U.S. permanent residence, refugee/asylum status, Temporary Protected Status, and removal (deportation) situations.Complex cases may also require the use of an attorney specialized in other areas of law, such as criminal or civil law, business and property law, tax law, family law, or others, in addition to an immigration attorney. Explore the I-Center's U.S. Immigration Legal Resources for further information, including legal referral services, clinics, and centers.

 

What are my options as an international community member if I'm afraid to attend classes or work?
Community members should reach out to the following university resources:

  • Students on visas should contact the International Center for more information about visa requirements and their academic deans regarding course flexibility. International students on student visas are generally required to attend all but one course towards their full-time course load via in-person attendance. Students who are seeking religious accommodations should contact OEO.
  • International faculty or staff who are in the U.S. teaching or working on a visa should check the requirements of their visa, since many of them require that the individual is teaching or working in person. If you have specific questions about your visa, please contact the International Center or visit their  website for more information.
  • Faculty or staff members who need to request an accommodation for a religious or disability-related reason, please contact OEO. Learn more about accommodations.
  • If you are concerned for your safety on campus or have been receiving threatening messages, please contact TUPD at 617-627-3030. TUPD offers services, including safe rides and escorts, to keep the Tufts community safe on our campuses.

 

Which documents should I carry to prove my status?
Immigration law requires nonimmigrant visa holders and lawful permanent residents who are 18 years or older to carry proof of immigration registration while inside the U.S. For most non-immigrant visa holders, this is a print-out of your most recent I-94 from your latest entry to the U.S. If you have changed your status within the U.S. since your last entry, you should also carry a copy of your USCIS Approval notice. Review further information about Requirements to Carry Immigration Registration Document and Report Change of Address | NAFSA.Because immigration enforcement is increasing, the International Center also recommends that Tufts-sponsored students, scholars, and employees carry pertinent immigration documents on their person at all times, even if not traveling and re-entering the U.S. You can find more information about immigration documents by visa category.

 

Immigration: Enforcement and Rights

What should visa holders and non-citizens do if subject to enforcement actions?
We understand that non-citizen members of our communities have questions about potential immigration enforcement, revocation of green cards and visas, and deportation. University Counsel has worked diligently over the past several months to ensure that members of the campus community are familiar with government request and visit protocols. We encourage anyone with questions about these protocols to reach out to University Counsel. When in doubt, call the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD):

  • Boston Health Sciences Campus: 617-636-6610
  • Boston SMFA Campus: 617-636-6610
  • Grafton Campus: 508-887-4900
  • Medford/Somerville: 617-627-3030

What are my rights if I’m approached by immigration officials?
The following resources are being shared for informational purposes only and are publicly available to all students through external immigration law and advocacy groups. None of this should be considered legal advice or used as legal advice. Community members with specific questions about individual immigration status should consult with a personal attorney and may direct questions for Tufts officials through the International Center.

  • Know Your Rights: The Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) suggests carrying their Know Your Rights Card.
  • Training: MIRA also offers Know Your Rights training in a variety of formats and languages.
  • Slides and Recorded Trainings: Powerpoint slides and a recorded Know Your Rights training are available from MIRA.
  • Scenario Based Guidance: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offers guidance about individuals might choose to respond to various requests for information or requests from law enforcement, including information about ICE or DHS encounters for immigrants.
  • Traffic Stops: The ACLU of Massachusetts also maintains its own website with Know Your Rights materials for immigration related traffic stops.
  • Airports: The ACLU offers guidance for encounters with law enforcement at the airport.
  • In the Workplace: The American Immigration Lawyers Association offers Know Your Rights information for encounters with ICE at work, at home, or in public.
  • Legal Resources: The International Center maintains an extensive set of Legal Resources, including referral services, clinics, and centers, compiled by the International Center.

Does Tufts work with immigration enforcement officers or allow them into campus buildings?
Please see our Campus Safety FAQ for more information about the university's related policies and protocols.

 

Travel

Last updated: April 11, 2025

Can Customs and Border Patrol search my devices?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may inspect a phone, tablet, computer or other electronic devices upon entry to the U.S. and may also ask for your passwords to review social media accounts. Please review more information on CBP’s authority to search your electronic devices as well as more guidance about preparing for international travel and good digital hygiene. USCIS has stated that, effective April 9, 2025, they will start reviewing social media and will consider antisemitic activity as grounds for denying immigration benefits.

 

How should visa holders prepare for increased scrutiny at ports of entry and potential travel bans?
The I-Center advises Tufts-sponsored students, scholars and employees to use extreme caution and consult with the I-Center prior to engaging in international travel. Those that have been determined to be at higher risk for restrictions have also received further messaging discouraging all non-essential travel at this time. Register any essential travel through Tufts Travel Registry so we can offer timely support if you experience delay or difficulty re-entering the United States. Please contact the International Center for further information.

Tufts University recommends that all other non-citizen students, scholars, and employees use extreme caution or reconsider travel at this time. Due to the complex and fluid nature of government policies, we also recommend that you consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice. We also encourage you to speak with your advisors or colleagues to inform them of any concerns and upcoming travel plans. If you must travel, we recommend that you register your itinerary through the Tufts Travel Registry.

 

What do Tufts community members traveling internationally for Tufts business need to know right now?
Given reports of increased scrutiny by Customs and Border Patrol officials, it's important to familiarize yourself and comply with U.S. laws and regulations governing the export of certain items and information and to be aware of Tufts resources and support to help you navigate your obligations under these laws, including:

Always register your travel with Tufts Travel Registry. Doing so only takes a moment and gives you access to emergency travel medical coverage free of charge during your time abroad on Tufts-related business; pre-departure destination information; travel alerts and warnings about airport disruptions and security threats; support from Tufts and our travel assistance provider in an emergency; and secure electronic storage of passport and visa copies.

Do not access or take export-controlled material while traveling internationally such as data or information received under a Non-Disclosure Agreement, including unpublished federal grant information; data or information that results from a project with contractual constraints on the dissemination of the research; items that have limited distribution, proprietary, confidential, or sensitive controls; Classified, Controlled Unclassified, or Export Controlled Data; or computer software or other equipment received with export restrictions.

Use a Tufts provided loaner laptop to reduce cybersecurity risks associated with travel abroad and be aware that electronic devices (including laptops, cell phones, drives, and memory) as well as software and data are subject to U.S. export controls when you leave the U.S.; devices and data may be inspected or retained by U.S. Customs upon departure or return to the U.S.; and devices and data are also subject to destination laws and regulations.

What do we know about future travel bans?
On January 20, 2025, the White House released the executive order Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.Within this executive order, the Trump administration set a 60-day deadline for federal agencies to identify countries they deem to have insufficient vetting procedures and that, in their view, warrant partial or full suspension of admission of their nationals into the United States. On March 15, 2025, multiple media outlets reported that a draft list for the new travel ban included 43 countries. The list below is neither final, nor official. News reports indicate that it is likely to change.

RED – all travel banned

  • Afghanistan
  • Bhutan
  • Cuba
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

ORANGE – visas sharply restricted (immigrant and tourist visas likely to be denied; in-person likely to be required to obtain a visa)

  • Belarus
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Laos
  • Myanmar
  • Pakistan
  • Russia
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Turkmenistan

YELLOW – 60 days to address concerns (regarding vetting and screening information from those countries)

  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkino Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Chad
  • Republic of Congo
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Gambia
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Kitts and Nevis
  • Lucia
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Vanuatu
  • Zimbabwe

 

Campus Safety

How is Tufts addressing the safety of our community?
The university is actively working to support our students, staff, and faculty as we mobilize our collective resources and contacts in service of our safety and wellbeing. Please review the following questions and answers for more information about some of the resources and protocols available to protect you.

 

Does Tufts allow immigration enforcement officers into campus buildings?
The university follows guidance provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General to institutions of higher education (the “Guidance”) which states that schools should develop a protocol that asks immigration officials to provide a copy of any judicial warrant or court order. The Guidance states that “[w]ithout a court order or warrant signed by a judge, immigration officers cannot compel [a school] or their officer[s] to comply with their requests.”  See Attorney General Guidance, Section IIA(ii).

The Guidance also states that schools “must ensure that their campus police policies and practices are consistent with the Supreme Judicial Court decision in Lunn v. Commonwealth, which held that law enforcement officers may not hold an individual ‘solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer.’”

The university follows the Guidance pursuant to its protocol for responding to government inquiries and requests for information.

 

What spaces on campus are inaccessible to federal authorities, such as ICE and DHS, without a judicial warrant?
Tufts is a private university on private property. While some parts of our campus grounds are open to the public, the following areas are considered private spaces: residence halls, classrooms, labs, offices, dining centers, kitchens, libraries, and clinics.

Additionally, some streets on the Medford/Somerville campus are open to the public, while others are private property. Access to Tufts-owned streets requires a judicial warrant. These streets include: Capen St. E, North Hill Rd., Sawyer Ave., Talbot Ave., Lower Campus Rd., Latin Way, part of Wellesley St., part of 4 Colby St., part of Packard Ave., and part of Edison.

If you become aware that a government official is requesting access to a private space, please contact Public Safety at 617-627-3030, so that the university can enact its protocols for responding to government inquiries and determine whether the official has a warrant permitting lawful access to the space.

 

What is the protocol for engaging with DHS, ICE, or other immigration officials on or near campus?
If you encounter DHS, ICE, or other immigration officials on campus or near campus, you are advised to call TUPD dispatch at 617-627-3030.

Tufts has an established protocol for responding to any government officials who arrive on campus for an unannounced site visit; this protocol also applies to members of our community who encounter officials off campus. 

To activate our protocol, please call the Tufts University Police Department at 617-627-3030 and inform the dispatcher, who will notify the appropriate university officials, including the Office of University Counsel, the International Center, and other relevant offices at the university. This line is staffed 24/7 and you will get an immediate response from a trained member of the Public Safety team. To the extent possible, and depending on the specifics of each situation, the university will provide relevant guidance, including possibly connecting individuals to external legal and immigration expertise and resources as needed.

 

How should I respond to other campus visits and information requests by government officials?
Follow University Counsel’s Government Request Protocols and Government Inquiries guidance.

 

Digital Privacy and Online Safety

Has the university kept records of students who participated in the protests last year, and would the university share those records with the government?
The university has a FERPA policy that protects the confidentiality of students’ educational records (including disciplinary records) and prohibits Tufts from releasing such records to third parties without the students’ permission.

If the university received a request for student records, it would follow its usual protocol for responding to government inquiries, subpoenas and other legal process. This protocol involves consultation with the Office of University Counsel.

 

Does Tufts keep track of students who have DACA or undocumented status?
Tufts University does not actively track DACA or undocumented status for students and would not release such information under the Tufts University FERPA policy. Support resources for students with DACA or undocumented status can be accessed through the FIRST Center.

 

What should I consider as I'm managing my digital and social media footprint?
Tufts has gathered guidance for Protecting Yourself Against Doxxing, including considerations for social media use. Anyone who manages or contributes to an official Tufts University social media channel must adhere to the university’s Policy for Official Social Media Accounts. If you are preparing for international travel, we encourage you to practice thoughtful digital hygiene, review our Travel FAQ, and consider these tips when traveling overseas with mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices.

 

How You Can Help

How can I help Tufts support Rümeysa and other international students as well as employees and their research?
While the university cannot legally act as a facilitator or intermediary for monetary donations to Rümeysa or her legal counsel, Tufts continues to support her in the ways it is able, like submitting this University Declaration for Rümeysa Öztürk. The university also continues to support our international community members as described in this Tufts Now story. Tufts Now routinely tells stories about our community and the positive impact of our research and scholarship—we encourage you to share and amplify this content.

We also encourage faculty and staff to pay close attention to Monday Minute each week and all community members to read Tufts Together each Thursday to remain informed about important trainings, events, resources, and information. Please also be sure to read communications and updates sent periodically by Tufts leaders. Avoid repeating unconfirmed rumors and remain patient—Tufts leaders will continue to communicate as transparently and quickly as possible while working to understand and respond effectively and thoughtfully to developments that sometimes change rapidly.

 

What do I need to keep in mind when I share Tufts content on social media?
See the university’s social media policies for information pertaining to all employees as well as guidance for employees who post on behalf of a university school, department, division, or center. You may also want to review our Digital Privacy and Social Media FAQ.

 

What should I do if I’m concerned about a student?
Each school at Tufts has its own student support teams and services. Please refer your concerns to the appropriate student support team:

 

What additional support is available for students and employees?
Community members can access the following resources.

  • All Tufts Community Members: The University Chaplaincy welcomes all members of the Tufts community, regardless of denomination or belief, to access its support and resources.
  • All Employees: Tufts University’s Employee Assistance Program, KGA, is available to employees and their adult household members age 18+. You have 24/7 access to counselors for emotional support, professional guidance, practical solutions and information about coping with stressors. These services are confidential and free.
  • Faculty: Schedule an appointment with the Vice Provost for Faculty to ask questions, provide insight, or raise concerns about anything that is important to you.

 

What support is there for me as a teacher or mentor to students right now?
The Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) offers many timely resources and programs for those who teach and mentor Tufts students.

 

How can I foster inclusion, belonging, and dialogue in the Tufts community?
Schedule an Institutional Inclusive Excellence (IIE) consultation or attend an upcoming training, workshop, or event.

 

Media Inquiries

What should I do if a reporter contacts me?
We encourage faculty and staff members who are contacted by reporters to contact Media Relations for support and advice.