Harvard University Agrees to Comply with DHS Request for Employment Forms, Exempts Student-Employees.

Harvard University will comply with the Department of Homeland Security's request for employment forms for thousands of staff members, but will not share records for student-only roles. The university received a notice of inspection seeking I-9 forms and supporting documentation to verify the identity and employment authorization of employees. Harvard will provide the requested information while evaluating whether the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act permits disclosure of student records.

Harvard University has confirmed its intention to comply with a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for employment records of thousands of staff members, while maintaining a cautious approach regarding student records. The university received a notice of inspection and a subpoena from DHS, seeking I-9 Employment Verification forms and supporting documentation to verify the identity and employment authorization of employees [1].

Harvard University has stated that it will provide the requested information but is currently reviewing whether the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits the disclosure of student records. The university has expressed concerns about the potential privacy implications and is ensuring that the records are handled securely and accessed only by authorized personnel [1].

The DHS request covers all employees hired between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, and includes multiple subpoenas seeking information about international students, including post-graduation work authorization, protest participation, and disciplinary history [1]. Harvard is currently assessing the legal obligations and institutional policies related to these subpoenas.

This development comes amid ongoing tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has previously frozen billions of dollars in federal research grants to the university. The administration's broader crackdown includes threats to withhold funding from universities supporting pro-Palestinian protests, climate action programs, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and transgender rights [2].

Harvard's cautious approach to sharing student records highlights the growing complexity of compliance expectations and the balancing act between regulatory compliance and campus privacy. The university's decision to withhold student records while evaluating privacy laws underscores its commitment to protecting student data.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/harvard-faces-federal-pressure-are-student-jobs-and-visa-records-the-new-front-in-us-immigration-checks/articleshow/123037090.cms
[2] https://www.businesstoday.in/nri/study/story/harvard-to-hand-over-staff-job-records-withholding-student-roles-amid-trump-admin-probe-487026-2025-07-30