Harvard University will turn over employment eligibility documents to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a formal subpoena from Trump administration officials in July 2025. This move affects nearly all current and recent Harvard employees, raising concerns about privacy, immigration status checks, and the future of federal oversight in higher education.
What Happened and Who Is Affected
On July 8, 2025, DHS served Harvard with a subpoena demanding payroll records, a full list of employees, and a designated contact for Form I-9 documents for everyone employed between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The next day, DHS announced plans to request documents related to international students as well. By July 29, Harvard’s Human Resources office told employees by email that the university would comply and turn over Form I-9s for almost all staff. News outlets confirmed Harvard’s compliance on July 30, 2025.
This request covers about 19,000 people, including all current employees and anyone who worked at Harvard in the past year. However, Harvard is not immediately handing over I-9 forms for students in jobs open only to students, as the university is still checking if these records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
What Is Form I-9 and Why Does It Matter?
Form I-9 is a federal document that employers must use to check if someone is allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. Every employee fills out this form and provides documents to prove their citizenship or immigration status. Employers keep these forms on file and must show them to federal officials if asked. You can find the official Form I-9 and instructions on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
DHS has the legal power to inspect I-9 forms and make sure employers are following the law. The July 8 notice gave Harvard just three days to provide the requested documents, showing how urgent and serious the request was.
Privacy and Legal Concerns
Harvard has asked DHS to confirm that all records will be kept safe, only accessed by authorized people, and used only for legal reasons. The university’s spokesperson did not comment publicly beyond the internal email to employees. No direct public statement from DHS officials has been reported, but this action fits with the Trump administration’s focus on strict immigration enforcement and checking compliance in higher education.
Impacts on Employees and Students
For almost all Harvard employees, this means their work eligibility documents will be reviewed by federal officials. Many may worry about privacy, possible mistakes in their records, or extra checks on their immigration status. Harvard has told employees that no immediate action is needed from them, as the university will handle the process. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Harvard Human Resources.
For student workers, the situation is less clear. Harvard is still deciding if student employment records are protected by FERPA, a federal law that keeps student education records private. Until this is resolved, I-9 forms for students in certain jobs will not be turned over.
Broader Effects for Harvard and Other Universities
This is one of the largest federal requests for university employment records in recent years. The process will require a lot of work from Harvard’s staff and could set an example for other universities. If DHS finds problems in the I-9 forms, it could lead to more investigations, fines, or changes in how universities handle employment and immigration checks.
Legal experts say this is a test of how much power the federal government has over university hiring and how immigration law interacts with privacy rules in higher education. Employee advocates worry that this kind of action could make international and immigrant staff feel less welcome and could affect academic freedom and the independence of universities.
What Should Employees and Students Do?
- No immediate action is required from employees; Harvard is managing the process.
- Employees with questions about their records or privacy rights should contact Harvard Human Resources directly.
- For more information about I-9 requirements and employer obligations, visit the USCIS I-9 Central page.
Background and Context
The Trump administration has increased checks on colleges and universities regarding immigration rules. While Form I-9 inspections are not new, a request this large is rare and shows a stronger focus on making sure schools follow employment laws. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this move could have lasting effects on how universities handle hiring and record-keeping for both American and international staff.
What Comes Next?
DHS will now review the I-9 forms and other records from Harvard. This could lead to more investigations or changes in policy for other universities. The question of whether student employment records are protected by FERPA remains open, and legal challenges could follow. Debates about privacy, academic freedom, and federal control over universities are likely to grow as a result.
Key Takeaways
- Harvard must turn over Form I-9s for nearly all employees from the past year due to a DHS subpoena.
- Student employment records are still under review for privacy protections.
- Employees do not need to act now but should reach out to Harvard HR with concerns.
- This action may set a precedent for other universities and increase federal oversight of higher education employment practices.
For ongoing updates, check Harvard’s official communications and the USCIS I-9 Central page for the latest guidance on employment eligibility requirements.
Learn Today
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. government agency responsible for immigration enforcement and national security oversight.
Form I-9 → Federal form used by employers to verify employees’ legal authorization to work in the U.S.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) → A federal law protecting the privacy of student education records.
Subpoena → A legal order requiring a person or organization to produce documents for an investigation.
Employment Eligibility → Verification process proving a person’s legal right to work in the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
Harvard must submit employment eligibility documents to DHS after a subpoena in July 2025. Nearly 19,000 employees’ I-9 forms are involved. The university navigates privacy concerns and federal oversight amid increased immigration enforcement in higher education.
— By VisaVerge.com
