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If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Comes to Pitt State

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Employee Procedure and Responsibility

This FAQ is not legal advice but provides guiding principles to ensure Pitt State faculty and staff understand their rights and responsibilities when interacting with immigration enforcement officers while protecting the privacy and safety of our campus community.

For assistance, contact:
Jamie Brooksher, General Counsel
📞 620-235-4136 | ✉️ jbrooksher@pittstate.edu

Police and Public Safety
📞 620-235-4624


Campus Access and Immigration Officers

Public Access Buildings (e.g., Overman Student Center)

Can I prohibit access to federal immigration officers in support of our undocumented community?
No. Pitt State cannot prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus to enforce federal law. However, you must immediately alert:

Restricted-Access Buildings

Am I obligated to provide access to federal immigration officers?

  • If the officer presents a valid criminal warrant: Yes, access must be provided.
  • If the officer does NOT present a valid criminal warrant: No, access is not required.

Steps to follow:

  1. Ask the officer for their name, badge, identification number, agency affiliation, and a copy of the warrant.
  2. Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but must consult university administration.
  3. Immediately contact:

Classroom Access

If I am teaching in my classroom, am I obligated to allow immigration enforcement officers to enter?

  • ICE officers generally cannot enter without a criminal warrant.
  • If approached, follow these steps:
    1. Ask the officer for their name, badge, identification number, agency affiliation, and a copy of the warrant.
    2. Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but must consult university administration.
    3. Immediately contact:

Residence Halls

Am I obligated to provide access to residence hall floors or rooms?

  • If the officer has a valid warrant: Yes.
  • If the officer does not have a valid warrant: No.

Steps to follow:

  1. Ask the officer for their name, badge, identification number, agency affiliation, and a copy of the warrant.
  2. Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but must consult university administration.
  3. Immediately contact:

Can a student refuse to allow an officer to enter their residence hall room?

  • It depends. A residence hall room is a limited access area.
  • ICE officers need a valid criminal warrant or the voluntary consent of the occupant.
  • Students are not required to allow entry unless the officer presents a criminal warrant.

Handling Requests for Student or Employee Information

Student Records (Class Rosters, Personal Information, etc.)

Am I obligated to provide student information to immigration enforcement officers?

  • No. Student records are protected by the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • A valid subpoena is required for disclosure.
  • Federal officers have no greater access than the public unless they present a valid subpoena.

If approached by an immigration officer requesting student information:

  1. Do not provide any records or information.
  2. Ask the officer for their name, badge, identification number, agency affiliation, and a copy of the subpoena. 
  3. Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but must consult university administration.
  4. Immediately contact:

FERPA: Additional details can be found on the Registrar's web page.

Employee Records

If an immigration officer requests personal information about an employee, am I obligated to provide it?

  • No. A valid warrant or subpoena is required before disclosing any information.

Steps to follow:

  1. Ask the officer for their name, badge, identification number, agency affiliation, and a copy of the warrant or subpoena.
  2. Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but must consult university administration.
  3. Immediately contact:

Academic Freedom and Classroom Discussion

Can faculty discuss immigration enforcement in class?
Pitt State endorses the AAUP Academic Freedom and Tenure Statement, which states:

  • Faculty have the right to discuss topics related to their subject matter.
  • Faculty should avoid introducing controversial topics unrelated to their course content.

For more guidance, contact the Provost's office at 620-235-6170.


 

General FAQ for Employees

How many undocumented students attend Pitt State?

We do not track immigration status as part of our application and attendance practices, except for international students who are here legally on student visas issued by the federal government. Undocumented students can legally attend universities, and students do not need to prove citizenship to enroll in higher education. Since students are not required to disclose their immigration status, we cannot provide an exact number.

Will Pitt State change any policies related to undocumented students?

Undocumented students are legally allowed to attend universities. As policies shift, we will review and update our own policies and processes as needed to remain compliant with federal and state laws.

Do we have employees who are undocumented?

To the best of our knowledge, no. Pitt State requires that all employees, including student workers, be legally authorized to work in the United States. We comply with all federal and state laws regarding work authorization.

What are we doing for undocumented Pitt State students?

We have provided campus-wide communication to connect students with resources to navigate their situation. Any undocumented student should be prepared for an ICE encounter and seek guidance from trusted immigration law sources. Pitt State faculty and staff should not give legal advice but can direct students to the following resources:

Will Pitt State police carry out ICE directives?

No. Pitt State Police and Public Safety officers will assist ICE in navigating campus as needed, but they are not federal agents and are not authorized to act on ICE’s behalf.

Can I comment on social media about this?

Yes, as long as you adhere to the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) social media policy, do not create the impression that you speak on behalf of the university, and do so on your own time.

Are Pitt State international students at risk of deportation?

No. Pitt State international students are in the U.S. on official student visas issued by the federal government.

If federal agents don’t have a warrant, why can’t Pitt State block their entry to campus?

Unlike K-12 public schools, Pitt State is an open campus. However, certain areas, such as private residence hall rooms, are not open to the public and require a valid warrant for access.

General FAQ for Students

I am an undocumented student. What should I do?

We strongly encourage you to be prepared and know your rights. If you have questions, seek guidance from trusted immigration law sources. For additional support, visit the Office of Inclusion and Belonging in the lower level of the Overman Student Center.

Helpful resources include:

Should I come to campus and go to class?

Yes. Our campus is a safe place, but we encourage you to be prepared for potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), regardless of where you are.

What happens if I don’t feel comfortable going to class?

Stay in close communication with your instructors and discuss options with each one directly. 

Should I talk to a lawyer? Where can I get legal advice?

If you have questions, we recommend seeking legal guidance from trusted sources. Helpful organizations include:

Am I protected from ICE on Pitt State’s campus?

Pitt State cannot prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from enforcing federal law on campus. However, we have provided guideance above to our employees on how to interact with ICE, and we strongly encourage students to know their rights.

Can ICE enter my private residence hall room on campus?

It depends. A residential hall room is considered a limited access area and cannot be legally accessed by immigration enforcement officers without a valid criminal warrant or the voluntary consent of the occupant. You generally need not allow entry to any law enforcement officer who is not in possession of a criminal warrant, regardless of what that officer might say.

I am being harassed on campus. What do I do?

Report the incident using Maxient at pittstate.edu/gethelp. If it’s an emergency, call 911.

I feel one of my instructors is using class time to inappropriately lecture about their personal political beliefs. What should I do?

File a report in Maxient at pittstate.edu/gethelp.

I need to talk to a mental health counselor. What are my options?

Contact the Bryant Student Health Center at 620-235-4452 to schedule an in-person appointment, or download the Telus Health App for 24/7 online mental health support. If you are in crisis, call 911. Visit the health center web page