Campus News

International travel guidance

We strongly advise all travelers to carefully consider their individual risks associated with leaving the United States.

July 9, 2025

By Ed Reiskin, Chief Financial Officer & Vice Chancellor of Finance, Operations, and Administration

Dear Colleagues,

In light of current circumstances, we understand there may be concerns with international travel. We strongly advise all travelers to carefully consider their individual risks associated with leaving the United States. Exiting and re-entering the U.S. may carry potential risks due to evolving immigration policies and travel restrictions. We urge you to thoroughly review the latest guidelines related to your immigration status and consult with an immigration attorney regarding any questions or concerns. Several potential resources are outlined below.

The ACLU has prepared a Know Your Rights webpage that offers non-citizen considerations when encountering law enforcement officers while entering or leaving the United States, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the airport. Please note that this link to the ACLU webpage is an external information resource and is not to be relied upon as legal advice or recommendations of the University of California.

UC Immigrant Legal Services Center can assist with immigration-related and legal needs of the UC community, including employees. The Center should not be relied upon in emergency cases such as border detainment, rather they should be used in advance of travel for proactive planning.

UC’s employer-sponsored legal plan, ARAG Legal Insurance, provides some benefits for immigration-related services. If you are not enrolled in that plan, a self-paid legal resource is available through the UC insurance partner, ARAG Legal Insurance, by enrolling in LegalNow. With the LegalNow service you have access to network attorneys who can provide legal help for immigration issues, including:

• Legal advice and consultation
• Immigration processes and guidelines
• Filing and processing of applications and petitions
• Laws and regulations governing various types of immigration benefits, including asylum, adjustment of status, business visas and employment authorizations
• Deportation and removal proceedings
• Document review of any immigration forms
• Document preparation of affidavits and powers of attorney
• Preparation for immigration hearings

The cost is $269 per year (paid up-front) and offers immediate coverage. 

In preparation for any re-entry to the United States, please consider the following:

1. CBP has search authority that extends to electronic devices crossing United States’ borders.
2. We recommend that you consider returning to the United States directly to a California airport rather than an airport in a different state.
3. Be sure to consider what content is on your electronic devices in advance of your arrival.  For those that are required to travel with their UC-issued devices, UCSC ITS provides guidance on International Travel with Technology, as does UCOP Information Technology: UCOP International Travel Information Security.
4. Review additional guidance on UCSC Division of Global Engagement International Travel site. 
5. For University related travel, follow the steps outlined by UCSC Risk Services and register your trip with UC Away. 
6. Leave copies of important documents with a trusted person.
7. Communicate with a trusted person as your turn with the customs officer approaches.
8. Have your phone, charger, water, a warm sweater, and snacks with you in your carry-on in case of secondary questioning.
9. Memorize and/or write down the phone numbers for a trusted contact, legal counsel, and your embassy, and keep them with you at all times.

Sincerely, 

Ed

Ed Reiskin

Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations and Administration