The assistant professor of management at Keene State College, Hao “Tommy” Huang, along with his family, was reportedly barred from re-entering the United States last December. This information came to light through a communication from Lisa Thorne, the Director of Communications, Outreach, and Enrollment at the University System of New Hampshire.

In late December, it was reported that Huang and his family had experienced deportation following a vacation cruise. Thorne verified that they interacted with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Tampa, Florida, but noted that additional details regarding Huang’s immigration status cannot be disclosed due to privacy considerations.

The approach that Keene State College takes when faculty members face detention or deportation by immigration authorities is influenced by individual circumstances, particularly the type of visa held by the employee. For faculty on employer-sponsored non-immigrant visas, such as H-1B, the institution has immigration attorneys on hand to explore options.

In addition, Thorne mentioned that Keene State College is committed to ensuring that students are not negatively impacted if faculty cannot return to in-person work. This could involve the hiring of temporary or adjunct personnel to fill gaps in staffing.

William McColloch, the associate professor of economics and president of the Keene State College Education Association, opted not to engage in an interview regarding Huang’s situation but voiced serious concerns over the actions of the Department of Homeland Security. He described the agency as arbitrary and punitive, expressing worries about the potential risks for faculty members if such issues are made public.