Immigration FAQ

If you are an international student, scholar, or employee at Tufts and you have questions about your Tufts-sponsored visa, you should contact the International Center as a first step. The International Center is responsible for managing F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, and other types of visas in which Tufts serves as the immigration or visa sponsor. There are certain cases in which the International Center may recommend the use of 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.

In addition, it is important to note that complex cases often 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, and much more - in addition to an immigration attorney. Please see the Legal Resources page of the Tufts International Center website for further information.

Immigration law requires nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents over 18 years old 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. 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 here.

On January 20, 2025, the White House released an executive order entitled 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
• Republic of Congo
• Dominica
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gambia
• Liberia
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Kitts and Nevis
• Lucia
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Vanuatu
• Zimbabwe

Tufts Sponsored Students, Scholars and Employees: The International Center is advising  individuals to use extreme caution and to consult with the Center prior to engaging in international travel. Populations that have been determined to be at higher risk for restrictions have also received further messaging discouraging all non-essential travel at this time. Any essential travel should be registered through Tufts Travel Registry so that we can offer timely support in the event of any delays or difficulties re-entering the United States. Please contact Tufts International Center for further information.

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

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

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.

There four documents available on Box that provide information about your rights in public, private and as an employee (in the workplace).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may inspect a phone, tablet, computer or other electronic devices upon entry to the U.S.. They may also ask you for 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.