Dear UMass International Community,
Given the new travel ban implemented on certain countries and the high degree of uncertainty around federal immigration actions and enforcement, we are writing to you to offer important advice to consider before engaging in international travel.
Please review all information below to determine if you should travel:
The following message was sent on June 5, 2025 to members of the UMass international Community affected by the Travel Ban effective 6/9/2025:
On June 04, 2025, the White House issued Presidential Proclamation – Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. Effective June 09, 2025, entry of nationals of the following countries who are physically outside of the United States AND do not have a valid visa as of June 09, 2025 is suspended.
Below is a list of Group A Countries, where the entry into the United States of nationals as immigrants and nonimmigrants is fully suspended.
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Additionally, the Proclamation also bars the entry into the United States of nationals of the following Group BCountries as immigrants and nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. Further, consular officers are instructed to reduce the validity for other nonimmigrant visas issued to nationals of these countries to the extent permitted by law.
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
You are receiving this message as our records indicate that you hold the nationality of a Group A or Group B country listed above.
Although the Proclamation excludes nationals of these countries who are legal permanent residents or who have valid US visas as of June 9, 2025, it is our advice that if you are currently outside of the US that you make immediate plans to return as soon as possible. If you are in the US, we strongly recommend deferring any non-essential travel at this time. Experience of previous ‘travel bans’ has shown that the enforcement of such orders is often inconsistent or confused and varies by port of entry. Further, the proclamation calls for the Secretary of State to periodically assess and recommend whether any travel suspensions should be modified, the scope of which is currently unknown. The safest course of action for nationals of these countries who hold valid US immigration status is to return to and remain in the US so as not to interrupt study or employment.
As always, the Office of Global Affairs is available to you to assist with any visa or immigration issues. Please contact us (@email; +1 (413) 545-2710) if you have questions or require any assistance. If calling after US business hours, please call UMass Police Department Dispatch (+1 (413) 545-2121) and your call will be forwarded to the staff member on duty.
Office of Global Affairs
Given the high degree of uncertainty around federal immigration actions and enforcement, we are writing to you to offer important advice to consider before engaging in international travel:
- Decisions on international travel should be made in conjunction with a person’s own consideration of risk based on a variety of factors including destination, citizenship, visa status, and visa validity. Based on these factors, you should very carefully assess whether non-critical travel outside the U.S. is necessary at this time.
- If you do choose to travel internationally, please familiarize yourself with the Office of Global Affairs (OGA) travel information pages, including timelines and processes for requesting travel documents. Please contact your OGA immigration advisor and/or visit us during in-person or virtual advising hours if you need further information.
- In general, all people arriving in the U.S. have basic rights at a port of entry. However, all international travelers, including U.S. citizens, do have diminished rights before admission into the U.S. All international travelers are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when arriving at both land border crossings and airports. CBP will screen travelers to determine whether they are “admissible” and CBP agents may ask travelers questions, including those related to the purpose of their travel and eligibility to enter the U.S.
- CBP may collect biographic and biometric data, run records checks, and conduct warrantless searches of bags and electronic devices and otherwise attempt to determine whether someone should be admitted to the United States. In searching electronic devices, CBP can ask for access to social media accounts, including usernames and passwords, and can scrutinize and copy sensitive digital information. If a traveler refuses to cooperate, CBP may delay their travel, seize their device, and further detain and question them. For non-U.S. citizens, CBP may also deny entry. It is highly recommended that you be mindful of any publicly available social media activity, and practice good data hygiene, including securing any devices you plan to travel with.
- Continue to check your UMass email and monitor information and related advisories from the OGA through our website and our other social media channels, as well as other actions on the UMass Federal Actions page.
- Additionally, all University-related international travel by faculty, students, and staff is required to be pre-approved and registered as per the University’s Travel Policy and the University’s Business and Travel Expense Policy. Per Board of Trustees Policy, this includes all international travel where the traveller brings University-owned devices or accesses University data.
- Further, all international travelers should consult with the Office of Global Affairs Andrea Drake and the Office of Research Compliance on any additional permissions or protocols required when traveling to high-risk destinations or traveling with or accessing University-owned electronic devices or data, as well as when traveling with research equipment or research materials.
- The protocols on using University-owned devices or accessing University data while on personal travel are similar to University-related travel. Travelers should likewise consult on their personal travel with the above-mentioned offices as applicable.
In case of any emergency please make sure you have the OGA front desk phone number (413-545-2710) and the UMPD dispatch number (outside of University business hours) readily available to you: 413-545-2121.