As Trump Orders ICE Raids Nationwide, Harvard Stays Quiet

As the Trump administration threatens deportations across the country, Harvard is standing behind its policy to direct federal officers seeking access to non-public spaces to the Harvard University Police Department or the Office of the General Counsel — without elaborating on what happens next.

In an email obtained by The Crimson, Dean of Arts and Humanities Sean D. Kelly referred faculty to guidelines from the OGC, which have been in place since at least 2020.

The policy instructs Harvard affiliates to direct federal agents to the Harvard University Police Department if they request access to a “nonpublic space.” If the officer presents a warrant, the policy directs affiliates to contact the OGC “immediately.”

“If the officer expresses an urgent need to move quickly, you should not attempt to stop the law enforcement officer, but call HUPD immediately,” the guidelines state.

The guidelines do not elaborate on what the OGC nor HUPD will do beyond the initial interaction with law enforcement.

In 2016, former HUPD chief Francis D. Riley wrote that in a letter to Harvard affiliates that it is HUPD’s “long-standing policy and practice” to not “police the immigration status of members of our community.”

“Over the past several days, the question has also been asked whether the HUPD inquires about the immigration status of faculty, students or staff or is involved in the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” Riley wrote. “In both cases, the answer is no.”

HUPD has not released a similar statement since President Donald Trump was elected.

Nor has Harvard taken public stands against Trump’s immigration crackdowns. In 2017, Harvard filed amici briefs against Trump’s attempt to ban travel from some Muslim-majority countries. In 2020, Harvard joined MIT in a lawsuit against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security over a bid to remove international students taking all online courses during the pandemic.

Then-Harvard President Lawrence S. Bacow wrote in a 2020 statement that the order’s “cruelty” was “surpassed only by its recklessness.”

But this time, Harvard has remained quiet, choosing not to speak on immigration issues even as University President Alan M. Garber ’76 sent affiliates an email blast on Trump’s attempt to freeze federal grants.

At least two Faculty of Arts and Sciences divisional deans, including Kelly, have shared the OGC guidelines with faculty.

“I have been informed that there is no plan for broad distribution of this guidance to faculty at this time,” Kelly wrote in the email. “Please feel free to share this information with faculty and others in your department if they have questions.”

Kelly forwarded information he received from the Office of the President of the Provost — clarifying that “law enforcement includes ICE,” or federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

“Please note that this guidance applies to all non-public spaces including offices, labs, and classrooms,” Kelly added. The policy does not explicitly state if student dormitories are also defined as a non-public space.

The University’s commitment to its existing policies comes as the Trump administration threatens to deport certain pro-Palestine international students.

President Donald Trump issued a Jan. 29 executive order instructing federal agencies to assist universities in investigating and deporting pro-Palestine international students who broke the law during protests. No Harvard students were arrested during last spring’s encampment or at any protest since Oct. 7, 2023, though two graduate students face charges for their participation in an October 2023 die-in demonstration.

Harvard spokesperson Sarah Kennedy O’Reilly wrote in an emailed statement that Harvard “continues to monitor any changes to policies and practices to understand how they might impact members of our community.”

“Harvard is committed to keeping our international students and scholars informed on any changes, and to providing appropriate support,” O’Reilly added.

—Staff writer William C. Mao contributed reporting.

—Staff writer Matan H. Josephy can be reached matan.josephy@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @matanjosephy.

—Staff writer Laurel M. Shugart can be reached at laurel.shugart@thecrimson.com. Follow them on X @laurelmshugart or on Threads @laurel.shugart.