Travel regulations and policies continue to evolve, both in the U.S. and internationally, which may cause travel disruptions and potentially impact or restrict U.S. border re-entry for some international students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, scholars and staff as well as undocumented or DACA students. While the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) continues to monitor these developments closely, OGE wants to reiterate the guidance offered in the message that the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) sent to international students related to Winter Break travel. This includes the importance of proactive planning and preparation, anticipating travel delays and carrying required and important documentation. If you are traveling internationally as part of a university-related event, you are required to also register your travel with the Brown Travel Office. 

If you are a U.S. visa holder (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.), you must ensure that you have a valid passport and, if you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, a travel signature that has been issued within the last 12 months (or within the last six months if on OPT). For more information about international travel for visa holders, consult the OISSS website. Students (F-1 and J-1) who need a travel signature can request it through their OISSS Gateway portal as instructed on the "What to Bring When Traveling" webpage. Scholars should email OISSS@brown.edu to request a travel signature.

If you are planning to travel within mainland U.S. or U.S. territories, it is important to consult the airline carrier's policies for proof of official documentation. We also recommend that all U.S. visa holders (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.) carry their immigration documents with them and lawful U.S. permanent residents should have their green cards readily available, in addition to proof of current student enrollment, faculty appointment letter or continuation of scholar appointment when traveling away from the Providence/Boston area. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) provides additional guidance and recommendations for travel within the U.S.

If you are a U.S. visa holder (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.) and encounter issues at any U.S. port of entry, ask the individuals at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if they would be willing to speak with Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS). During business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm EST), you can reach the OISSS front desk at (401) 863-2427.

For all other Brown community members, including lawful permanent residents as well as individuals with DACA, TPS or other statuses, or if you are calling after business hours, please call Brown’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (401) 863-3322 and DPS will connect you with the relevant office.

We encourage you to attend the upcoming webinar “Guidance for Traveling Abroad and within the U.S.” on Thursday, March 13, 2025 to learn more about available resources for Brown travelers. For specific information about travel based on your particular non-immigration status, contact OISSS (oisss@brown.edu). If you have specific questions about your university-related international travel plans, contact the Brown Travel Office.

Any community member who receives a request for information addressed to the University pertaining to citizenship status or other information about a Brown community member, or for a campus site visit from a government regulatory or investigative agency, must notify the Office of General Counsel (OGC) immediately at (401) 863-3122. The OGC will determine whether the request or visit is legally valid, coordinate the University’s response, and notify appropriate senior officers. Refer all representatives of regulatory authorities or the government (including attorneys) in these instances to the OGC. If a contact from a government agency occurs after hours, call the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (401) 863-4111, and DPS will notify the OGC.

If someone attempts to hand-deliver an official legal document to you that is addressed to the University, you should inform the individual that you do not have authority to accept service of the document on behalf of the University, and that the document should be taken instead to the OGC, which will determine whether it can be accepted by the University. The OGC is located in South Street Landing at 350 Eddy Street and can be reached at (401) 863-3122.

Whenever official legal documents addressed to the University come into your possession other than hand delivery, you should forward them immediately to the OGC, as they typically have short deadlines to respond. Examples include subpoenas requiring the University to produce copies of records in court proceedings and summonses notifying the University that a lawsuit has been commenced against the institution.

If someone serves you a personal summons, subpoena or other legal notice, you may reach out to an attorney or pursue other legal resources for assistance. For a list of immigration-related resources, email (oisss@brown.edu) or visit the OISSS website.

Brown will only share information with law enforcement regarding the immigration status of community members under a valid subpoena. DPS does not inquire about or act on information related to immigration status, and does not partner with federal or state agencies to do so.

Under the new rule, U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders), all U.S. visa holders, individuals granted parole (such as Humanitarian Parole), DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) recipients, and refugees are considered already registered under existing immigration processes. The Association for American Universities, the President’s Alliance for Higher Education, and our other professional associations have submitted formal comments and feedback on this proposed rule. We will continue to monitor the situation closely as the April 11 deadline approaches.