Immigration FAQs for International Students and Scholars

Members of the Yale community who encounter representatives from immigration enforcement agencies should immediately contact the Yale Police Department (YPD) at (203) 432-4400. You do not have to answer any questions asked by ICE. You may state that you want to consult an attorney first. Detailed guidance on what to do when you encounter law enforcement can be found here.

The following is general information:

1. You do not have to answer questions or sign any documents.
2. If you choose to answer any questions, answer them truthfully.
3. You may speak to a lawyer whom you already know or who is willing to assist you, but the government will not provide you with a lawyer. You may seek advice from someone who is not an attorney, but your conversations with that person may not be privileged from disclosure.
4. You do not have to allow ICE access to a private space (such as your home) unless ICE has a signed judicial warrant.

There are many excellent resources available online advising what to do if you encounter ICE agents while NOT on campus, and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with those. Several are listed at the end of this FAQ page.

The university will not voluntarily allow an immigration enforcement agent or other government officer to access, review, or obtain a student's or employee’s personal information, academic records, or research that is not publicly available, without a subpoena or judicial warrant. In the event that federal law requires the university to provide access to records, the university will notify the individual whose records were accessed unless the university is prohibited from doing so.

¹ In the instance that a Graduate Worker’s records are accessed, the university will also notify Local 33 in addition to the Graduate Worker.

The university or its agents will not allow immigration enforcement agents to enter any non-public areas where students or employees work or live without a subpoena or judicial warrant. Non-public areas are those university-owned or controlled buildings and/or areas that restrict public access. They may include, but are not limited to, all classrooms, research and teaching labs, offices, dormitories, or housing.

² For Graduate Workers, if such consent is required by federal law, the university will notify Local 33 that access was granted and for which areas access was granted if permitted by law.

OISS is the primary resource that Yale provides for international students and scholars. Our webpage contains valuable information and resources. If you cannot find the information you need on our website, please contact your designated OISS adviser.

When immigration policies change such that international students and scholars, including graduate workers, are impacted, OISS will update its website and other sources of information. We encourage you to bookmark the Immigration Updates page where we will post any immigration actions.

Yes, but only such information or documents required by law and only to those university representatives authorized to receive them – such as OISS or the university’s I-9 Office. You can access more information about the I-9 process at I9 Information.

International students who have questions or concerns about traveling outside the U.S. should contact their designated OISS adviser. Members of the Yale community are encouraged to register their travel using the International Toolkit site. They should also review the OISS website for guidance on international travel and emergency information.

International travelers face added scrutiny and enhanced screening at the U.S. ports of entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued updated information (last modified January 7, 2025) on conducting border searches of electronic devices. Please note that CBP officers may ask individuals to provide access to phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices, as well as social media profiles, email, and similar accounts when entering or exiting the U.S. Please refer to Yale Information Security’s general advice about traveling securely with electronic devices.

The university will assist international students and scholars denied re-entry to the United States by advising on resources for immigration assistance and academic options. In such cases, students and scholars should contact the director of OISS, Ozan Say, at ozan.say@yale.edu (link sends e-mail).

We have partnered with identified immigration attorneys who can provide short-term legal guidance and assistance to Yale students and scholars regarding visa, travel, and other immigration issues. If you need legal help, please contact your designated OISS adviser for a referral.

If you require ongoing legal assistance, OISS advisers can also help you identify additional assistance.

In the event that a GW loses their authorization to work in the United States and, as a result, their employment is terminated, the university will meet with Local 33 and the GW to make reasonable efforts to re-employ the GW for the following academic term in the event that they regain their authorization to work. If a GW's SEVIS record is terminated and they are forced to leave the country, they will be eligible to apply for an unpaid leave of absence as set forth in Article 23, Leaves of Absence, of the Local 33 collective bargaining agreement.