Information and Resources

Immigration Information

Knowing Your Rights

Legal guidance can be helpful with knowing an individual's rights, what to do when approached by immigration authorities, or facing any difficulties re-entering the United States. An immigration attorney or a qualified legal aid organization will be the best resource to help understand those rights and options, avoid any consequences, and to know what steps to take to protect an individual's status. 

For more information: Attorney General: Know Your Rights - Civil Immigration Enforcement in Washington

 

CWU Protocol: How to respond to a federal official from Immigration & Customs Enforcement or another agency

  • 1. Request Information

    Remain calm and professional. Ask for identification. Request names, agency affiliation and identification numbers. You can ask them to take a seat nearby in a public area while they wait for you to contact a campus safety officer and your supervisor.

    Do not accept legal documents on the University’s behalf. It’s best to wait for CWU officials to arrive.

    A trained officer or campus safety employee will respond to take over, determine the purpose of their visit and involve the appropriate reviewers.

    If you are questioned by someone purporting to be a federal agent, consider these responses:

    • “I am not authorized to answer your questions.”
    • “I am not authorized to review or accept legal documents”
    • “I have been instructed to call the CWU Police Department/Campus Safety Office before you proceed. Please wait while I do that.”
    • “I will call my supervisor now.”
  • 2. Protect Privacy and Access

    Never answer questions regarding confidential information unless told you should do so by CWUPD, your campus safety office or the Attorney General’s Office. Examples of personally identifiable information may include and are not limited to names, contact information, address, class lists, student schedules, etc. As always, ensure compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations. Remember, do not lie to law enforcement agents.

    Never provide someone you don’t know access to a non-public area of the CWU, such as a residence hall or a secure office area — this is true every day at the CWU, but even more so now. Non-public areas require permission. 

    Questions come up about what to do if someone disregards your request to wait for University personnel to arrive. By calling 911 or Campus Safety you have done the most important thing. Do not put yourself in harm’s way. Officers will arrive to confirm the person is who they say they are and determine if they are there for a lawful reason.

Your Rights

  • Immigration Enforcement Officer Approaches

    • You have the right to be silent.
    • You can ask if you are free to leave.
    • You can ask them to leave.
    • You can ask to see their court order/warrent signed by a judge.
    • You can ask for their information.
    • You do not have to sign anything.

  • If You Are Arrested, Detained, or Taken into Custody

    • You have the rigth to speak to a lawyer.
    • You have the right to contact your consulate.
    • Say it loudly and clearly if you have a fear of returning to your country.
    • You can ask to call a family member or friend.
    • Report any health conditions or medication needs.
    • Request a bond hearing.

 

CWU 203-20: Access to University Property and Student Records for Immigration Purposes

 

To view the policy in its entirety: CWU 203-20

Finding Legal Help

If you or someone you know has been impacted by this, below are a list of resources to guide you through this process. 

It's important to find the right immigration attorney that can assist with immigration challenges, such as, status violations, for international students. Start by checking for reputable sources and verifying that the attorney is licensed and experienced in handling F and J visa cases. Most of these resources will provide information for those seeking pro bono legal support. 

Questions and Answers

  • Can CWU prevent federal immigration agents from coming onto a CWU campus?

    No. While immigration officials cannot enter a classroom, laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order, CWU cannot legally prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a CWU campus or facility. There may also be instances when CWU will be required to respond to valid criminal warrants or judicial orders.

  • What happens after I call CWU Police?

    Officers or campus safety team members respond to your location and campus safety leadership is informed. They then notify University leaders and the Attorney General’s Office. The officers will contact the agent and ask for identification. The officers are trained to review documents and know the difference between an administrative order and a judicial order. An administrative order is not sufficient for demands of information related to immigration enforcement.

    The officers on site will work to ensure safety in the area and ensure legal requirements are followed.

  • Do I need to post signs noting that certain areas of the University are only for use by CWU students, faculty, and staff?

    Building coordinators and unit leaders can add signs if that makes sense for your area, but it’s not required. The public safety teams for your campus can walk through with building coordinators and unit leaders to confirm public versus non-public, special use areas and provide the appropriate signage.

    As a reminder, immigration officials cannot enter a classroom in use for instruction, a laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order. A classroom in use is not a public space. At the same time, the CWU cannot legally prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a CWU campus or facility.

This page contains links to websites outside of Central Washington University. The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of Central Washington University faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors. The content of such pages has not been reviewed or approved by Central Washington University.

*Disclaimer: The list of contacts on this site regarding various resources and services is provided for the information and convenience of our site users. This list does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by CWU. Please also note that this list is in no way exhaustive and does not contain all possible resources that may benefit our site users.

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