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 importance of proactive planning and preparation, anticipating travel delays and carrying required and important documentation, and potentially, deferring non-critical personal travel. All travelers are strongly encouraged to review the following resources when planning any new travel: 

• Brown’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) updates on;: U.S. Travel Ban Information for Prospective and Admitted Students; countries impacted by the current U.S.visa and travel bans; and additional travel information (for domestic and international travel);
• Brown's Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for important information on security tips and possible restrictions involved with use of certain technology during international travel, in particular preparing your mobile device and preparing your laptop for travel.
• The Brown Travel Office to register your travel, which is a requirement if you are traveling internationally as part of a university-related business, event or program.
• Legal resources through Brown’s engagement with immigration law firm Green and Spiegel, which provides legal assistance to employees and students who are non-US citizens and have been approved by their department chair or supervisor for essential, Brown-related international travel.

Yes, federal agents can search your electronic devices and data; however, they are not permitted by law to search your data that is stored remotely (i.e., on the cloud). During recent webinars hosted by the Office of Global Engagement, attorneys from the firm Iandoli Desai and Cronin LLC recommended the following resources for additional information: the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s “Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry” guidance, and the ACLU’s “Can Border Agents Search Your Electronics” information. Both provide more information on the protocols for electronic device inspections at ports of entry.

In addition, all Brown travelers are strongly encouraged to review Brown's Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for important information on security tips and possible restrictions involved with use of certain technology during international travel, in particular preparing your mobile device and preparing your laptop for travel. 

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 Administrator-on-Call at 401-863-3322. The AOC contact information - as well as other emergency contacts - are printed on the back of your Brown ID (the below image is an example of where you can find the contact phone number).

In addition, it may be advisable to create a personal list of emergency contacts and share it with a trusted person before traveling, who upon hearing from you in the event you encounter a challenge at a port of entry, could assist in reaching out to relevant contacts.

We continue to recommend that holders of U.S. visas consider postponing personal travel, including routine visa renewal appointments abroad, if possible. If you have a question about whether your visa stamp needs to be renewed or valid during your stay in the U.S., please consult with the International Student and Scholar Services team by emailing an advisor at isss@brown.edu. 

We recommend that non-U.S. citizens considering international travel postpone their plans if they have specific concerns about travel risks, delayed return or other immigration-related issues. 

If you are particularly concerned about the ability to re-enter the U.S., it may be prudent to seek review and assess your travel safety and risk tolerance as well as current U.S. travel bans and restrictions for non-U.S. citizens.

Individuals planning on Brown-related international travel can consult with the Brown Travel Office to discuss their travel plans. Brown students, staff and faculty on university-related travel are required to register their travel with the Brown Travel Office. 

Additional guidance from an immigration lawyer may be helpful to make an informed decision. Brown has partnered with immigration law firm Green and Spiegel to provide legal assistance to employees and students on Brown-Related International Travel. Please email ISSS at isss@brown.edu if you would like a referral list of immigration attorneys and other legal resources for personal travel consultation. 

If you do decide to travel, ensure you possess all necessary immigration documents and understand the procedures required for re-entry to the United States. For more information, please review the travel information guidelines from ISSS.

We encourage you to stay informed of potential shifts in travel restrictions or policies from the U.S. federal government, and to have contingency plans for your travel and return to the U.S. 

The University will only share information with the government or others regarding immigration or citizenship status under valid legal authority, such as a valid subpoena or judicial warrant. In the event of a government request addressed to the University regarding immigration or citizenship status of a Brown community member, individuals should immediately notify Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) at (401) 863-3322.  DPSEM will assess any subpoena, warrant, or other document purporting to convey legal authority presented by an external law enforcement agency and will notify University leadership and Brown’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) so that Brown can respond promptly and in compliance with the law.  

Brown will only share information with law enforcement regarding the immigration status of community members requested under valid legal authority, such as a valid subpoena or judicial warrant. Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) does not inquire about or act on information related to immigration status, and does not partner with federal or state agencies to do so.

Buildings that are owned or operated by Brown should only be accessed by members of the university community with valid credentials, their invited guests, or by law enforcement agents with legal authority, such as a subpoena or a judicial warrant. Community members should not grant access to Brown buildings to anyone without valid Brown credentials. The exception is certain public-facing buildings, such as the Galen V. Henderson Admission Welcome Center and the Bookstore, which remain open to the public with additional on-site security personnel.

In the event law enforcement agents, including federal immigration enforcement agents, come to campus, community members do not have to grant access to either property or non-public information. Instead, community members should  contact Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management immediately, as DPSEM acts as Brown’s point of contact with any external law enforcement agency. DPSEM will assess any subpoena, warrant, or other document purporting to convey legal authority presented by an external law enforcement agency and will notify University leadership and Brown’s Office of General Counsel so that the University can respond promptly and in compliance with the law.  

As on campus, you do not have to grant access to private property or non-public information unless law enforcement agents present legal authority, such as a subpoena or judicial warrant.  (Further information about the differences between judicial warrants and administrative warrants can be found in the question below and here.)  

If someone serves you a summons, subpoena or other legal notice directed to you personally, as opposed to being directed to you on Brown’s behalf, or seeks access to private property off campus, you have the right to reach out to an attorney or pursue other legal resources for assistance. For a list of immigration-related resources, including a list of immigration attorneys, visit the International Student and Scholar Services website.

The University will only share information with the government or others regarding immigration or citizenship status under a judicial warrant (or subpoena or other valid legal authority). However, if any warrant is presented by an external law enforcement agency, members of the community should contact Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, and DPSEM will notify University leadership and OGC so that Brown can respond promptly and in compliance with the law. 

A judicial warrant is an official court order signed by a federal judge or magistrate that authorizes a search of private property, seizure, or arrest based on probable cause that a crime is being committed or has been committed. An administrative warrant is not issued by any court. It is a document issued by a federal agency such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These administrative documents are not signed by a magistrate or judge but rather an immigration officer like an ICE agent or immigration judge.   

Both judicial and administrative warrants are legal orders that authorize searches and seizures, but they differ significantly in their purpose, the level of proof required, and the issuing authority. 

A judicial warrant will:

• Specify the specific address to be searched.
• Specify the time period in which the search must take place.
• Particularly describe the place or person, or both, to be searched and things to be seized.
• Be issued by a court and signed by a Judge or magistrate.

Key Differences Between Judicial and Administrative Warrants

There are reports of a growing number of scams and frauds targeting non-U.S. citizens including misleading communications from individuals falsely claiming to be U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. The U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency, which oversees ICE, has published guidelines on how to protect yourself and available resources if you are a victim of immigration fraud. 

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a U.S. government agent, you can ask for written proof of a warrant or legal notice. For examples of what a warrant is, please review the FAQs provided separately on this page on “What is a judicial warrant?” and “What is an administrative warrant?” The ACLU provides images of what these warrants look like as well. 

On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum that updated its earlier December 2, 2025, announcement (discussed below), in which the agency announced a hold on the processing of immigration benefits applications submitted by or on behalf of persons from “high-risk” countries. In the most recent memorandum, USCIS effectively expands the hold to include nationals from countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10998  (announced on December 16, 2025, and implemented on January 1, 2026), which imposed travel restrictions on 20 countries, in addition to those included in Presidential Proclamation 109494 (effective as of June 9, 2025). A full list of countries now affected by travel restrictions can be found on our Current Travel Restrictions by Presidential Proclamation web page.

Impact: Under this updated policy announcement, immigration benefits applications from nationals from countries and entities currently subject to travel restrictions will continue to be accepted and processed. However, final adjudication (i.e., a final decision) may not be made until USCIS operationalizes procedures for additional screening or otherwise decides to remove the hold. As a result, there may be delays for many common benefits applications — including Form I-765 applications for employment authorization (including for OPT or J-2 employment), Form I-129 petitions for temporary workers (including H-1B petitions), and Form I-539 for changes of status — submitted by or a foreign national with citizenship from or born in one of the travel-restricted countries. Delays can involve additional security checks as well as requests for additional evidence (RFEs).

Recommendations: Students and others from an affected country who plan to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training, STEM Extension Optional Practical Training, or other immigration benefits are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible to do so. Given the possibility of extended processing delays, filing as early as allowed may minimize the chance of interruptions to employment. ISSS will continue to monitor the situation, and students are encouraged to contact their ISSS advisor in the event they receive USCIS updates and requests for evidence related to their applications.

ISSS is also actively reviewing any employment-based non-immigrant or permanent residence petition for employees and scholars that may be affected by the processing pause, and will discuss options and impacts with their individual sponsoring departments.

This is an ongoing development, and please contact isss@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

On September 20, 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the White House issued guidance clarifying the Proclamation on H1B visas issued on September 19, 2025. To summarize, the updates clarify that:

• The Proclamation on Restrictions on Entry of Certain Non-Immigrant Workers issued on September 19, 2025, does not apply to individuals who currently have valid H-1B non-immigrant visas, or employees whose petitions were filed prior to the effective date of the proclamation [11:59 PM EDT, Saturday, September 21, 2025].
• Furthermore, the agencies’ updates and White House FAQs make clear that individuals with current valid H1B visas are not barred from traveling in and out of the United States.
• The new H1B fees ($100,000 per petitioner) applies to any new H-1B visa petitions filed on behalf of petitioners residing outside the U.S. at the time of filing and submitted after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025.

The University continues to advise all international employees (and students) to exercise discretion when planning non-essential international travel, and to register any university-related travel with Brown Travel. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact OGE (globalbrown@brown.edu) or ISSS (isss@brown.edu).

On Aug. 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media,” which proposes to admit nonimmigrants in the F (academic student) and J (exchange visitor) categories for a fixed period of time instead of duration of status. This would be a significant change from current regulations. ISSS provides a summary of the implications of these proposed changes for Brown’s international community.

On Sept. 29, 2025, Brown’s Office of Global Engagement and Office of Government Relations submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging the full withdrawal of the proposed rule changes —or, if DHS was unwilling to do so, advocating for substantially revising the proposed rules.

It is important to know that as of March 6, 2026, the proposed rule is not yet in effect. OGE will continue to closely monitor this developing rule-making process and will update the Brown community on the final rule, if adopted.