Boston Logan Airport: What You Need to Know About US Entry Challenges for International Students in 2025

Published on July 7, 2025

In a significant move that has raised concerns within the international student community, Harvard University has advised its foreign students to reconsider arriving at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) due to growing scrutiny by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The advisory follows an increasing number of reports that students—especially those from politically sensitive regions—have faced heightened interrogation and delays when entering the U.S. through this airport. The university’s decision reflects not only the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy but also the challenges faced by international students in navigating the increasingly complex and politically charged airport entry process.

This warning comes in the wake of recent incidents, with Iranian and Chinese nationals, particularly those in research-heavy fields like STEM and artificial intelligence, being subjected to intense questioning. Harvard has pointed to alternative entry points, such as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), based on anecdotal evidence suggesting smoother processing at these locations.

As Harvard navigates the complexities of federal immigration policies, the advice comes amid ongoing legal challenges that could impact the institution’s ability to enroll international students. The situation raises broader questions about the U.S. border control policies, the safety of digital privacy, and the rights of international travelers, particularly those from countries under heightened scrutiny.

Why Harvard is Cautioning International Students About Boston Logan Airport

Harvard University’s decision to warn international students about Boston Logan Airport (BOS) stems from growing concerns over increased scrutiny at this key U.S. entry point. Here’s a breakdown of the main issues raised by the advisory:

• Increased Border Control Scrutiny:
  Harvard’s advisory comes after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began intensifying inspections, particularly for individuals from countries like Iran, China, and other regions considered high-risk. This includes invasive questioning, prolonged detentions, and the inspection of digital devices and social media profiles.
• Focus on Digital Privacy and Social Media Scrutiny:
  One of the most concerning aspects of the advisory is the potential for CBP officers to analyze a traveler’s digital devices during customs checks. This includes not only reviewing files and emails but also scanning social media content for any signs of political dissent or views that may be critical of U.S. policies, such as pro-Palestinian or antisemitic rhetoric. Harvard has stressed that attempting to delete digital histories or reset devices can trigger suspicion, leading to further delays and potentially being denied entry.
• Specific Concerns for Iranian and Chinese Nationals:
  The advisory is particularly focused on students from Iran and China, especially those engaged in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These students, often studying sensitive subjects like artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, are seen as higher risk due to geopolitical tensions surrounding their countries.
• Anecdotal Evidence from Other International Students:
  Harvard’s legal and immigration teams, including Maureen Martin, the Director of Immigration Services, and Jason Corral, an attorney from the Immigration and Refugee Clinic at Harvard Law School, emphasized that experiences shared by previous students indicated that Boston Logan had become a high-risk entry point. As a result, the university has recommended that students instead consider other major U.S. airports for smoother entry processing.

The Political Backdrop: What’s Driving This Change?

The warning from Harvard University is not occurring in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader, politically charged environment that has seen U.S. immigration policies undergo significant changes, especially under the previous administration. The Trump administration, in particular, was vocal in its criticism of elite academic institutions like Harvard, which were often seen as more welcoming to international students, especially from countries perceived as adversarial to U.S. interests.

• Federal Government Scrutiny of Elite Universities:
  Harvard has been one of the institutions most affected by the U.S. federal government’s scrutiny. In recent years, the Trump administration took aggressive action, questioning Harvard’s tax-exempt status, alleging discriminatory admissions practices, and even canceling over $2.6 billion in research funding tied to foreign nationals. In addition to these federal actions, Harvard has also faced increasing pressure over its perceived stance on political issues like antisemitism and its handling of Israel-related tensions.
• Harvard’s Ongoing Legal Struggles:
  The advisory comes on the heels of a legal injunction blocking a federal policy that sought to limit Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, particularly those from certain countries. While the injunction temporarily allows the university to maintain its current enrollment policies, the Department of Justice is appealing this ruling, leaving the future of Harvard’s international student policies uncertain. This legal uncertainty has undoubtedly contributed to the heightened concerns regarding entry through Boston Logan.

Security Risks for High-Risk Nationalities

The focus of Harvard’s advisory on Iranian and Chinese nationals is not without merit. According to recent reports, students and researchers from these countries have increasingly faced lengthy interrogations and secondary screenings when entering the U.S., especially at Boston Logan.

• Iranian Students and Researchers:
  Reports have surfaced of Iranian nationals being detained at Logan and subjected to intense questioning, particularly those involved in academic research related to engineering and technology. For example, the case of Kseniia Petrova, a Russian researcher detained at BOS earlier this year, drew attention to the increasingly politicized nature of U.S. border control. Petrova, who had been returning from France, was accused of attempting to bring biological material into the U.S. without proper authorization.
• Chinese Nationals in STEM Fields:
  Likewise, students from China—particularly those in STEM fields—have been caught in a political crossfire due to allegations of espionage and the U.S.’s broader strategic competition with China. This has led to further scrutiny of Chinese nationals arriving at U.S. airports like Logan.

What Are the Alternatives to Boston Logan?

In light of the heightened scrutiny at Boston Logan International Airport, Harvard has recommended that its international students explore alternative entry points into the U.S. Based on anecdotal evidence and student experiences, the following airports are suggested as better options for smoother entry:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – New York
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Chicago
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Los Angeles

These airports are reportedly experiencing less intense scrutiny than Logan, though no official data has been released regarding the relative processing times and outcomes.

Looking Ahead: Implications for International Students

As Harvard University navigates these heightened security concerns, the issue raises important questions for international students across the U.S. The growing scrutiny of digital privacy, political speech, and even academic research poses significant challenges for students who must now consider not only their academic paths but also their ability to enter the country safely and without undue harassment.

For students arriving in the U.S. through airports like Boston Logan, the future seems increasingly uncertain. However, for those planning their trips through alternative airports or seeking advice from their universities, it is clear that the landscape of U.S. immigration policies is shifting, with potentially lasting effects on how international students are treated at borders.

Conclusion:

Harvard University’s decision to advise international students to avoid Boston Logan Airport (BOS) underscores a broader concern over increasing border control scrutiny, especially for students from politically sensitive countries. As global tensions continue to impact U.S. immigration policies, students from regions like Iran and China are finding themselves facing greater challenges in entering the U.S. Whether through increased questioning, digital device inspections, or prolonged detentions, the risks are clear. For now, students are encouraged to consider alternative airports like JFK, ORD, or LAX for a potentially smoother experience. However, this situation highlights the increasing intersection of politics and immigration policy, which will likely continue to shape the experience of international students for years to come.