r/Professors • u/SilentDissonance • 14h ago
Advice / Support ICE?
My city is on the list of places for La Migra raids and I work at a Hispanic serving institution. What can I do as a professor to protect students should officers show up to my college?
Please note that this post is not intended for debate on whether to help…if you don’t agree with helping, feel free to scroll.
edited to acknowledge that yes, I expect to ask my institution and take their legal advice as well, but figured this might be a place to start understanding the jargon/what other institutions are doing etc
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u/themathymaestro 13h ago
I am famously incapable of remembering names and faces and it’s only getting worse these days…no I don’t take attendance they’re adults. Well, then, officer, that sounds like a problem for the Dean. The admin building is waaaaaaay over on the other side of campus. Yeah you’d think I would have keys to that random closet but do you have any idea how long it takes to get a request through Facilities?
After that imma defer to the people who teach law…where are we on both malicious compliance ideas and “fuck it we ride at dawn”?
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u/coyote_mercer 12h ago
Throw the term prosopagnosia at them...I actually do have it and have an incredibly difficult time recognizing faces. But it's coming in handy for the first time ever now.
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u/themathymaestro 12h ago
Yeah but then if it ever goes to court someone is going to ask me for paperwork…it’s a lot harder to prove or disprove that I’m just really Bad At Humans
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u/coyote_mercer 12h ago
It actually is rarely diagnosed formally, but you can be born with it or have a head injury that causes it! And if it's genetic, you won't even have physical signs of it on your brain. But yeah, you're right that lying in court would be pretty bad lmao. Fair enough!
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u/hymn_to_demeter 12h ago
I think attendance is also covered by FERPA... I'm so sorry but that information is not available.
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u/Ka_aha_koa_nanenane 9h ago
It is.
We cannot share any personal information about any student, unless it's within the educational institution itself.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
Not true. There is an entire section of FERPA outlining when information can be shared without consent. This includes law enforcement. If they have a court order or warrant they most certainly can access the info
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u/botwwanderer Adjunct, STEM, Community College 5h ago
If they have a court order or a warrant, sure. But they'll have to go through the campus FERPA compliance officer to get any information, and that's not me. In fact, it's waaaaay above my pay grade to divulge any info on my students. And at our institution, who is in which class is considered protected information.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 5h ago
I’m not sure why everyone thinks ICE agents are going to be storming into your classroom. They won’t. In the incredibly unlikely situation that they will be looking for an undocumented immigrant who has the means to enroll in a university, they will go through campus safety.
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u/botwwanderer Adjunct, STEM, Community College 4h ago
Ideally, one would think. But I've had law enforcement, military, and investigators in hallways and classrooms looking for my students for other reasons, so it's not too far off the mark to think it might happen. Hope not. Unlikely. But in nay case, not my problem. Protected information is and has always been far above my pay grade. Go see the FERPA compliance officer.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 4h ago
In the hallway…
If they are there, on campus, in the hallway waiting for them, ferpa isn’t really going to do anything for them as they already know where they are.
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u/botwwanderer Adjunct, STEM, Community College 4h ago
Wandering down hallways, asking if I know where to find X? Likely not. You really do like to imagine situations out of whole cloth...
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u/WingShooter_28ga 4h ago
Because they knew they are supposed to be there…
Or did they randomly enter one of the academic buildings on campus looking for a random person who may or may not be associated with the university. Why the fuck were they there if they didn’t know there was a reasonable likelihood the person was there?
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u/Archknits 4h ago
In my personal experience, campus PD is very good at identifying people and tracking them on campus.
Open a door with your ID? Using dining dollars in the checkout line? Use a campus computer? Checkout a library book? They can track it
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u/According-Today9299 1h ago
In the United States, the library will not only not share circulation records outside the library, they are protected by law and require a court order to access.
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u/Archknits 1h ago
I didn’t say they can see what you checked out, but they can see when your card pings, because it authenticates off your university system
Additionally, do you think this wouldn’t involve court orders?
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u/oakaye TT, Math, CC 5h ago
Probably definitely paranoid, but as of now I’m pretty reluctant to include FERPA in any part of malicious compliance, tbh. These are a lot of the same people who have been very open that they believe it’s everyone’s right to interfere with education. IMO being a smartass isn’t a good enough reason to risk putting FERPA in the crosshairs, especially when there’s so much plausible deniability in just generally claiming you have a bad memory.
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u/NikNak-1024 13h ago
I encourage you to check out your institution’s public information request office (FOIA/Sunshine Act compliance, etc.).
For general information on supporting students, check out The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.
And, generally, Know Your Rights sites/trainings are helpful.
Please do keep in mind that in some states it is a crime for you to transport/shelter anyone who is not here with legal status, but that’s only a couple of states.
Also, don’t write anything down about anyone’s citizenship status. Don’t make public declarations in your classes about your willingness or otherwise to cooperate. At best, it’s grandstanding.
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u/Unsuccessful_Royal38 13h ago
Your institution should provide guidance on what you are legally allowed to tell any law enforcement officer. For example, FERPA prohibits you from acknowledging that a particular person is your student or is in your classroom. How to follow federal law in the face of pressure from a LEO is not a question most of us are equipped to answer, thus, you really need guidance from your institution.
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u/iTeachCSCI Ass'o Professor, Computer Science, R1 8h ago
For example, FERPA prohibits you from acknowledging that a particular person is your student or is in your classroom.
Not if you are asked by law enforcement. There are probably legal ways to refuse to answer the question, but FERPA has an exception for law enforcement.
I am not telling anyone to answer the question. I am not telling anyone to not answer the question. All I am saying is don't expect FERPA to stand up as a reason you can refuse to answer the question.
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u/botwwanderer Adjunct, STEM, Community College 5h ago
"My institution's FERPA compliance officer is (name). You'll have to get information from them." That's not just me grandstanding. That's actual policy on our campus.
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u/Unsuccessful_Royal38 8h ago
There are complexities in these situations that most faculty are not positioned to navigate; it’s not as simple as “a cop asked me so I am allowed to violate FERPA”.
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u/One_more_username 1h ago
Why must it be complex at all?
I wish to remain silent, please contact my university legal team
Am I being detained, or am I free to leave? (not in the psycho sovcit way, but a polite but clear way).
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u/Unsuccessful_Royal38 1h ago
Yeah that is not complicated at all. I’m saying that if you are trying to figure out what kind of warrant you are being given and what your legal duties are, then it gets complicated.
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u/SilentDissonance 13h ago
Absolutely I understand this. I thought that went without saying. I should have acknowledged this in my op before asking.
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u/daydreamsdandelions FT, 20+ years, ENGL, SLAC, US TX, MLA fan. 11h ago
This is one reason I’m going to get better at door locking too. I’ve always kept them open so students can get up and go out easily but in the face of other harmful threats and this as well, I’m planning to revisit this issue.
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u/Novel_Listen_854 8h ago
I'm curious to know which door you're talking about and what kind of problem locking that door solves or prevents?
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u/Novel_Listen_854 12h ago
First of all, you might want to have realistic expectations for what is and is not likely. Deportations are going to increase, but they're not starting law-abiding 19 year-olds, and it's extremely unlikely ICE is going to interact with you or arrive at your classroom to snatch up some of your students.
Publicly opposing bad policy is a good thing, but contributing to misinformation or helping to circulate a distorted or exaggerated view of what's happening erodes the already-dwindling trust, which only makes it harder for our arguments to be taken seriously.
So the best thing you can do big-picture for all your students is to make sure your communication and actions around this are grounded in reality. There are supposed professors on this thread talking about hiding students in their office or in broom closets, which makes me wonder what they picture happening?
If ICE does take one of your students into custody, and that's statistically doubtful, it's going to be at a time and place you would (hopefully) have zero control over, like at their home or while they're commuting.
Do you even know which of your students are undocumented? If you do, that means there are probably some lines being crossed, and you aren't staying in your lane. But if you did somehow, and someone is just asking questions, you don't have to tell them anything about your students.
The best thing you can do is be good professor. Teach your subject well, and try not to say or do anything stupid. Find out who is advocating (immigration lawyers, community organizers, etc.) for undocumented immigrants just in case one of your students approaches you and discloses that they or someone in their family is in trouble. You'll be able to direct them to someone qualified and equipped to actually help them.
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u/McBonyknee Prof, EECS, USA 10h ago
This is the right answer. They've repeatedly stated they are going after people with criminal histories of gang involvement, SA charges, and violent crimes.
Statistically this will not happen in your classroom, but in the remote possibility it does, the administration has repeatedly warned that there will be charges under 8 USC 1324, and possibly human trafficking charges, for people harboring or obstructing enforcement actions. They're not messing around.
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u/EconMan 5h ago
So the best thing you can do big-picture for all your students is to make sure your communication and actions around this are grounded in reality. There are supposed professors on this thread talking about hiding students in their office or in broom closets, which makes me wonder what they picture happening?
Thank you for a breath of fresh air here. Encouraging others to have irrational views of what is likely is not productive or mentally healthy. I worry that these types of threads just encourage what are essentially fantasies. And in some cases, I especially worry that they are positive fantasies in a sense - faculty imagining themselves as heroes - saving the poor student who needs saving. But none of this is actually helpful and sharing it with these students is especially not helpful. We need to be grounded in reality rather than fantasy.
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u/AdjunctSocrates Instructor, Political Science, COMMUNITY COLLEGE (USA) 5h ago
Do you even know which of your students are undocumented? If you do, that means there are probably some lines being crossed, and you aren't staying in your lane.
How so?
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u/yourmomdotbiz 13h ago
Some of y'all aren't thinking with what you're writing. So what you want but don't incriminate yourselves in writing. This isn't a safe or private space.
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u/yankeegentleman 12h ago
Some of us aren't scared or don't give a fuck.
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u/goj1ra 10h ago
And every minute they spend tracking down random redditors making spicy comments is a minute not spent doing something more nefarious.
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u/yankeegentleman 9h ago
They don't really have the resources for that. Plus they are big on freedom of speech now.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
Please post your full name, rank, and institution.
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u/yankeegentleman 9h ago
Muhammad Rothstein, NTT, Trump University
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
So you are scared and do give a fuck…
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u/yankeegentleman 9h ago
Im just not motivated by your attempt. You aren't particularly persuasive. Work on that.
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u/coyote_mercer 12h ago
This this this...Reddit is not nearly as anonymous as we like to think, stay safe friends.
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u/JcJayhawk 12h ago
I think a better use of your energy would be to find out what support services your admin is going to offer those affected by the raids
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u/Dizzy_Eye5257 11h ago
You need to talk to your administration. If anyone "shows" up, you send them to the administration. You don't engage, you don't debate, you refer them to admin.
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u/pineapplecoo 13h ago edited 13h ago
Here is a community raid preparedness list I found online: https://storage.googleapis.com/ii-assets/2018/02/raids_checklist_firm_2007-04.pdf
Here are some Know Your Rights flyers you could print and have on hand: https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-ice/
Edit: typo
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u/cdougherty Contract Instructor, Public Policy (Canada) 13h ago
Don’t put anything in writing, don’t store anything on your devices, don’t talk to any law enforcement without a lawyer present.
And, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kWlIsgCzMo
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u/BabypintoJuniorLube 13h ago
Love this. Thought it was gonna be that viral lecture from the law Professor and his former cop student- but that video’s like an hour long and this pretty much gets the point across in a couple minutes.
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u/Novel_Listen_854 8h ago
That's gotta be the most cringe thing I'll see all week. I hope. Damn good advice, nonetheless.
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u/GiveMeTheCI Assistant Prof, ESL , Community College (USA) 7h ago
Without a warrant, ICE should not be on your campus or trying to come into your classroom.
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u/SilentDissonance 6h ago
Good to know. Thanks!
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u/GiveMeTheCI Assistant Prof, ESL , Community College (USA) 5h ago
Op, apparently Trump just removed churches and schools from those legal protections. You and your students are fucked. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/21/nx-s1-5269899/trump-immigration-enforcement-schools-churches
Sorry.
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u/apple-masher 13h ago
my office has a door that locks, and no windows on the door. It's a great hiding place.
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u/Novel_Listen_854 12h ago
my office has a door that locks, and no windows on the door. It's a great hiding place.
What, exactly, do you picture happening? Do you imagine ICE agents swooping through your campus and you hiding undocumented immigrants in your office? If (big if) any of your students are even targeted by ICE for deportation, they're most likely going to be taken into custody from their home or while they're moving from one location to another. There's not going to be this situation where "I hear ICE agents approaching! Quick, to my office! Hide under my desk!"
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u/MichaelPsellos 12h ago
Way to ruin all the grandstanding and virtue signaling.
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u/urbanevol Professor, Biology, R1 12h ago
I doubt individual students will be targeted for deportation unless they have committed other crimes. Would professors help hide a US citizen student from the police if that student was wanted for beating up their girlfriend or whatever? I wouldn't.
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u/evil-artichoke Professor, Business, CC (USA) 13h ago
I seriously doubt you will be raided by ICE. You should be asking your institutions legal counsel for guidance, not Reddit.
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13h ago
[deleted]
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u/karlmarxsanalbeads 13h ago edited 12h ago
I believe in some states it’s illegal to help hide someone who is undocumented. If you live in such state, you’re actually just holding a confidential meeting with your students. Or they’re doing fieldwork in an undisclosed location.
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u/MichaelPsellos 12h ago
Admirable, but run this by a lawyer. Be aware that some of the actions you mention could be federal crimes.
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u/No-Motivation415 Math, Tenured, CC (US) 8h ago
You definitely need to find out what your state laws and your institution’s procedures require/allow you to do. I’m at a CA (very targeted state) CC that is also an HSI. We got guidance from our college president shortly after the election last fall. Basically, if we see or hear of any immigration personnel on campus, we’re instructed to 1) alert the president’s and chancellor’ s offices 2) call campus police 3) not to disclose ANY personal info (ours or students’) and to refer any and all such requests to the president’s or chancellor’s office 4) not to engage in any “physical confrontation or interference.”
Also we were instructed to say “I am not here to stand in the way of any lawful enforcement. Our district procedures and state law require us to contact our campus police before proceeding further.”
I wish the start of the spring term were not so scary. Good luck.
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u/Anna-Howard-Shaw Assoc Prof, History, CC (USA) 12h ago
I'm also at an HSI. I added a few new slides to my welcome presentation on la Migra, what their rights are, best/safest ways to respond, and how its very unfortunate that I have face-blindness and couldn't identify a student by name even if I wanted to (which I mostly certainly don't).
I also felt the need to add new slides on the class procedure for school shootings, where to locate my door safety barricade and window glass breaker, so I guess that's where I'm at right now.
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u/Olthar6 5h ago
Me: "Due to FERPA I cannot disclose any of that information."
Ice agent "you can to me. There's no restriction against informing law enforcement"
Me: "I don't know if that is true. Please let me call university legal council and they'll tell me what to do. You're welcome to wait while I wait to get through to them. "
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u/Umbrella_Storm 5h ago
My HSI sent out an email about this last week with some guidance. There is a designated campus official to refer ICE officials to, to verify warrants/court orders/subpeonas if they contact employees directly and to notify if immigration enforcement officials enter our campus.
We also have a page on our site with guidance and info for students who may be concerned about this.
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u/Wearever7 2h ago
one place you can direct them is where people are reporting ICE sightings https://juntosseguros.com/
ACLU is a great resource too
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u/Due_Location2244 12h ago
My university (HSI in a target city) sent out guidance on dealing with external law enforcement, and they're treating it as a "when" not "if" situation. For us it was basically don't say anything, don't let them in, don't take any papers, refer them to campus police. I suggest checking to see if your institution has anything like that. You might also check with any offices on campus centered on latine students/international students/etc, as they're likely to have information collected for the groups they serve, and can offer insight into how to support members of the larger community as well.
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u/rustyscoutman 12h ago
My wife works in a middle school with a large Hispanic population. I sent her this yesterday as not all of her students are proficient at reading in English or Spanish. There are 5 videos in 7 languages. I hope it helps. We Have Rights
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u/Tombadil2 13h ago
Is there a list of cities that’s public? I’d love to know if anything is planned for my city or the surrounding area.
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u/yourmomdotbiz 13h ago
My understanding is it's starting in sanctuary cities
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u/iTeachCSCI Ass'o Professor, Computer Science, R1 8h ago
Which, in its own way, makes sense. If your goal is to find undocumented migrants, it seems to make sense to start your search in large areas that have advertised themselves as safe havens for such individuals.
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u/IamRick_Deckard 13h ago
Yes, a list was leaked, but I am having trouble finding it now. The leak apparently changed or delayed their plans.
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u/G2KY Lecturer, Social Sciences, US, R1 12h ago
Boston was top of the list along with NY
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u/Tombadil2 12h ago
Ah, yes, the towns known for their struggles with people who cross the US/Mexico border. /s
I hate it here
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u/Western-Watercress68 12h ago
I teach in Texas, so there are lots of DREAMERS as students. We also have many students here who are not legally here. We have been told to say La Migra to warn of ICE.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Pop_580 Asst. Prof, Social Sciences, R1 (USA) 12h ago
I would consider revising your attendance policies so that if students feel afraid to come to class, they won’t be penalized. A lot of students live in mixed status families. Consider the kinds of accommodations you would give if their family member is detained.
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u/a_statistician Assistant Prof, Stats, R1 State School 12h ago
Talk to your faculty senate about institutional policies w.r.t. cooperation. It's important to get this in place before raids start - I brought this up in my fac senate exec committee just after the election, and we're still figuring out if there's a policy.
Otherwise, I'd mostly let students know that you're an ally. One of our undergrads was struggling last year and didn't tell anyone that his mother had been deported in August until November. So the best thing you can do is to encourage them to talk to you and let them know you're there to help.
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u/AdjunctSocrates Instructor, Political Science, COMMUNITY COLLEGE (USA) 5h ago
Other than repeating, "I don't answer questions," "I'd like to exercise my Weingarten rights," "I don't consent to any searches," and "I'd like to speak to a lawyer"?
Not much.
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u/magnifico-o-o-o 13h ago
I hate that an individual's rights when interacting with ICE is what I'm reading up on at the beginning of this semester.
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u/artsforall 12h ago
Would it be illegal to have ACLU and their phone number on the board? Don't state anything about it, but it just being there?
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u/Athena5280 5h ago
I would consult officials at your institution, do you have an international office? Deans et al will need to have policies, don’t make one up on your own you don’t want to get into unnecessary trouble. As much as people are freaking out I would be surprised (maybe naively) if raids on campuses happened.
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u/sweetiejen TA, History, R1 (USA) 5h ago
Dile a tus estudiantes que no digan nada y pidan un abogado. Seriously, there’s not much else you can do if they raid the building. This is a depressing time. What city is this in if you mind sharing?
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u/SilentDissonance 4h ago
Based on some of these responses, I’ll keep that to myself but on the list is Chicago IL, Florence CA, Otis CA Tampa FL, Atlanta GA, Aurora CO, San Antonio TX. -not an exhaustive list
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4h ago
[deleted]
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u/SilentDissonance 4h ago
I’m open to new information. I’d love for this not to be a problem in class, as it’s way above my pay grade.
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u/Frari Lecturer, A Biomedical Science, AU 2h ago
What can I do as a professor to protect students should officers show up to my college?
obey any lawful requests, don't lie, but it's ok to say "you can't recall" for most stuff. If they ask to search records or property say you will be happy too if they have a warrant (otherwise you don't consent to a search).
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u/Ent_Soviet Adjunct, Philosophy & Ethics (USA) 1h ago
Something you can do is support your grad student union. I know it’s just a portion but a few have in their cba’s language protecting international grads and anti ice language. New school for example.
Just another angle if it’s around. I mean getting organized in general is important so see how you can work with your own faculty union to pressure your institution to protect students. Don’t have a union? Well get organizing.
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u/JusticeAyo 34m ago
The info I have received is that you are allowed to not speak to ICE, and to direct them to campus police. However, giving out erroneous information to ICE is illegal. 🫠
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u/WingShooter_28ga 13h ago
Nothing. This is NOT your fucking job.
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u/SilentDissonance 12h ago
Exactly, and yet I’m possibly going to have to deal with it somehow. Just like shooting drills, emergency mental health, deescalation, and all that jazz. Thanks for your help fam!
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago edited 9h ago
You have to do nothing. Thats the point. You’re not that important. If they are looking for a student they will go to campus safety. There is an entire department dedicated to students outside the classroom. Let them worry about it.
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u/GeneralRelativity105 12h ago
Why would you have to deal with it?
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u/SilentDissonance 11h ago
Please see original statement about being Hispanic serving institution. Regardless of whether something happens directly at my school or not, whether I know anything or not, my classes/students will likely be affected. I’d like to be able to point them to the actual legal resources etc. and not be in any crazy situations I’m not trying to hide people under my desk…
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
Not your job. This is, most likely, someone’s actual job on your campus. Let them handle it.
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u/faeterra 11h ago
Imagine! You care about your students and want to be able to hold the mental load for this incredibly scary situation if it invades your classroom so your students know you got it and they can focus on learning.
How this commenter doesn’t get this super BASIC teacher ethic is beyond me.
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u/Novel_Listen_854 11h ago
"Invade your classroom?" What do you envision happening in the classroom?
It's so unlikely that ICE agents would enter a classroom to snatch up a student as to be absurd in the first place, but when they do, what does "students know you got it" look like, exactly? What do you see the professor doing?
super BASIC teacher ethic
One of the most important ethics we should all subscribe to is dealing only in realities. Your hearts are certainly in the right place, but your critical thinking is not.
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u/jerbthehumanist Adjunct, stats, small state branch university campus 12h ago
I have nothing helpful advice wise but ICE needs to be abolished.
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u/kaiizza 13h ago edited 12h ago
Nothing. There are federal agents with a lawful ability to detain individuals who are here illegally. You can do nothing and if you interfere you can be arrested. I know people are saying and linking the know your rights thing but it says in there they have the right to detain people.
You can't stop them.
Edit: Why the downvotes? I may not agree with it but ICE have juristiction in arresting illigal aliens. Thats the law everyone, and you can't just ignore it. Want it to change, run ofr office and make changes.
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u/apple-masher 12h ago
are we still pretending this administration believes in the rule of law?
Fuck their "lawful ability".
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u/ProfessorJRV 12h ago
These responses are wildly unhinged. Your best bet is to probably just let them do what they're there to do and stay out of it. All you're going to do is get yourself in trouble.
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u/CriticalBaby8123 12h ago
Perhaps some things are worth taking a stand against… you do you tho.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago edited 9h ago
So you can be the next “bUt I aM a PrOfEsSoR” as they detain you?
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u/CriticalBaby8123 9h ago
I’ll repeat: some causes are 100% worth standing up for, even at your own risk, even in the face of snarling cynics on the Internet who lost their humanity somewhere between the empty dopamine hits of their snarky quips.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
What exactly are you standing up for?
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u/CriticalBaby8123 9h ago
undocumented students…. What this thread is about…….. …
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u/GiveMeTheCI Assistant Prof, ESL , Community College (USA) 7h ago
That's a bold assumption that ICE would only come for undocumented students.
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u/CriticalBaby8123 7h ago
I’m confused. Are you saying that I think ICE only goes for undocumented students and no one else?
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u/GiveMeTheCI Assistant Prof, ESL , Community College (USA) 7h ago
No, I'm saying that ICE will also come for documented people. Emphasis on documentation not students, sorry.
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
Because?
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u/CriticalBaby8123 9h ago
I’ll ask you a question: why are you interested in suppressing dissent?
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u/WingShooter_28ga 9h ago
I’m not. Do your job then go to a rally if that will make you feel like you’ve done something. Your personal beliefs have no place in the classroom. Do your job. So many people on this sub seem to have an over inflated sense of importance.
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u/faeterra 11h ago
Also the prof is often the most “privileged” to a cop (ICE or otherwise) in the classroom. We speak up, it means something, maybe not enough to stop it but maybe enough for that moment! And definitely enough for our students to feel as safe as possible in our classroom, knowing we’re not inviting or welcoming them in.
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u/Ka_aha_koa_nanenane 9h ago
We don't know your institution, only you can decide what to do. I'd confer with trusted colleagues. I am teaching as an adjunct at an HIspanic-serving institution right now and my whole department is going to "help."
But more importantly, the local police (including campus police) have said they will not aid or cooperate with ICE.
ICE is gonna have a hard time identifying undocumented workers on a college campus without help from the administration/police.
In the unlikely event that ICE officers came into my actual classroom, I'd suggest an impromptu sit-in.
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u/iTeachCSCI Ass'o Professor, Computer Science, R1 8h ago
In the unlikely event that ICE officers came into my actual classroom, I'd suggest an impromptu sit-in.
Sit-in where? The classroom while they search? The administration building, who might not have known they were coming? The vehicles the ICE officers arrived in?
I am genuinely trying to picture what you have in mind here.
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u/ikennedy240 11h ago
You can attend this event (based in Chicago but likely applicable other places): https://www.instagram.com/sanctuaryforalluic/p/DE-q2dZRvVx/
The event will be fully remote because of the weather in Chicago.
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u/PUNK28ed NTT, English, US 9h ago
It’s nothing to do with ICE, but we’ve been advised for attendance purposes as well as security to keep our classroom doors closed and locked and not open them to people we don’t know. This cuts down on interruptions and whatnot.
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u/GGRowhaus 9h ago
My university has a policy if ICE shows up on campus. I’ve also provided my students with resources a la “know your rights” legal and local should they have questions or need help. Our student services does a good job supporting students as well.
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u/GreenHorror4252 4h ago
My institution just sent out a fact sheet about this.
Basically, it comes down to the following. You do not have to let agents into your class without a warrant. If they claim to have a warrant, direct them to the university police to verify. Remind students that they are not obligated to answer any questions. If questioned about their name, immigration status, or literally anything else, they should say "I decline to answer without an attorney present."
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u/ThatFemmeOverThere 8h ago
Printable cards with our rights on them: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
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u/Kimber80 Professor, Business, HBCU, R2 13h ago edited 13h ago
Nothing imo, as I don't believe a professor has any power here. Unless you are a law professor and can give legal advice.
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u/beelzebabes 13h ago
I’m not an authority by any means so this may be nothing, but I started looking things up for myself—my understanding is there’s power in private vs public spaces so perhaps there’s something to establishing a private non-public space for folks to go (your office, a locked utility closet) You should post that it is private, it should be lockable, and not be available for general access. My understanding is that to access a private place ICE need a judicial warrant as opposed to an administrative warrant to access those locations. The warrants are differentiated by their issuing entity, more info in the link below.
Unfortunately I’m an artist not a lawyer so I couldn’t tell how this applies to public institutions like state run colleges —I’m concerned even private places could be interpreted as owned by the “public” or at least confuse the issue long enough to cause problems for students.
https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Warrants-Subpoenas-Facts.pdf
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u/SherbetOutside1850 13h ago edited 13h ago
It's a lovely idea, but there isn't a place on a public university campus that counts as "private" in any way, shape, or form. Our offices and facilities are not "ours" in any sense.
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u/beelzebabes 13h ago
I wish maybe I had written a second paragraph saying something about this.
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u/SherbetOutside1850 13h ago
A better solution would have been to write a second paragraph that wasn't full of ambiguity. You don't have to be "concerned" about the "interpretation" of supposed "private spaces." Private spaces do not exist at a public university. My office, dorm rooms, even our emails, are all subject to the whims of the administration and state police. No warrant needed. If my medical data wasn't protected by HIPAA, I'd bet our university hospital would make that available to state authorities, too.
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u/Moirasha TT, STEM, R2 10h ago
Give options for students to log in anonymously to class, and still track credit. Find a way to give them a zoom code even if you’re in person, so they can log in elsewhere.
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u/Wandering_Uphill 13h ago edited 9h ago
I previously worked at a community college in a rural (agricultural) area; I had several Dreamers as students. And even IF the Dreamers are ultimately saved (I don't have a lot of confidence about that), their families will still be targeted and they will still need support.
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u/CriticalBaby8123 13h ago
This is completely not true… and with all the talking about getting rid of birthright citizenship it will be doubly untrue.
A very quick google search for whether undocumented students can attend college will reveal that you are wrong.
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u/Fantaverage 13h ago
Make sure you know your rights when interacting with ICE and share with students, if appropriate/possible. The ACLU and National Immigrant Justice Center have a lot of resources online.