Immigration Enforcement FAQ | Cascadia College

Immigration Enforcement FAQ

 

 

Our Safety Commitment

Cascadia College is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all students, employees, and visitors. This FAQ guide explains what Cascadia College employees should do in situations involving federal immigration enforcement.

Cascadia College adheres to state law and the Keep Washington Working Act and does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Employees should immediately refer all immigration enforcement agent inquiries to Campus Safety

LB2 Building Street Level on Campus Way NE
425-352-5359
uwb-safety@uw.edu
Campus & Community Safety

See Cascadia College’s Immigration Official on Campus protocol for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Federal immigration agents may enter public areas on campus without a warrant, but they cannot access non-public areas unless they have a valid judicial warrant or explicit consent from an authorized college official (only Campus & Community Safety).

Public Areas

Public areas are generally open to everyone. These areas include:

  • outdoor spaces and exterior plazas;
  • hallways and common areas;
  • lobbies,
  • front office desks,
  • and other areas routinely open to the public.

Non-public Areas

Non-public areas include:

  • classrooms and labs (while in session);
  • private offices and meeting rooms;
  • residence halls;
  • any workspace or area designated for college operations or restricted access.

The Cascadia College president has designated the Director of Campus & Community Safety as the Agency Designee for handling immigration enforcement requests on campus. All employees must refer immigration enforcement agents to Campus & Community Safety, LB2 building street level on Campus Way NE, 425-352-5359.

  1. Direct them to Campus & Community Safety. Do not grant access to non-public areas.
    • You may say:“I understand that you are here to enforce immigration law, but I am not authorized to assist and have been directed to connect you with Campus & Community Safety.“
    • Politely walk agents over to Campus & Community Safety’s front desk at LB2 building street level on Campus Way NE.
    • If they refuse to go to Campus & Community Safety, inform them you are not authorized to assist and that you have been directed to contact Campus & Community Safety. Ask them to wait in the public area and then move into a non-public area to call Campus & Community Safety at 425-352-5359 (including after hours) and notify them of the agent’s presence.
  2. If they show a legal document (e.g., warrant, subpoena):
    • Do not accept service of the document. Explain to the agent(s) that you are not authorized to assist and are required to contact Campus & Community Safety first.
    • You may say: “I am not authorized to accept service on behalf of Cascadia College and I have been directed to call Campus & Community Safety who can assist you further.”
    • You may request to see the document or ask for a copy for reporting services, but clarify this does not mean you are accepting service. If they permit it, make or take a copy. Do not invite them into a non-public area to make a copy. Record the officer’s name, badge number, agency, and contact information.
    • Call Campus & Community Safety at 425-352-5359.
  3. Do not interfere if agents refuse to wait.
    • If agents claim judicial authority and refuse to wait, do not interfere with their actions. Instead, observe their conduct and take detailed notes of what happens, if you are able.
    • Call Campus & Community Safety at 425-352-5359.
  • Assist immigration officers with enforcement actions
  • Grant access to non-public areas
  • Respond to service of subpoenas or warrants; contact Campus & Community Safety
  • Attempt to verify someone’s immigration status
Cascadia College’s Campus & Community Safety team does not enforce federal immigration laws, conduct immigration status checks, or assist in detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status. However, if immigration enforcement officers come to campus, Campus & Community Safety is responsible for reviewing any legal documents presented, such as a judicial warrant, and ensuring that any actions taken are consistent with the law and the college’s established protocols. Campus & Community Safety’s priority is to safeguard the rights, privacy, and safety of our campus community while fulfilling legal obligations.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student records, including immigration-related data. Cascadia College does not share student records, including immigration status, with immigration enforcement agencies without a judicial order or subpoena. Employees should refer all requests for student records to Campus & Community Safety.
Please submit a care report. Cascadia College will connect the individual impacted to resources on and off campus.

Immigration Official on Campus Protocol

If you are approached by an Immigration Official on campus

  1. Inform them you need to contact a campus official.
  2. Call Campus & Community Safety at 425-352-5359.
  3. Inform the Administrator on Duty (protected link that requires Cascadia faculty or staff credentials).

Additional Information

Immigration officials have the right to be on our campus in “public spaces”, including:

  • all dining facilities,
  • all building hallways and open-area study spaces,
  • lobby areas,
  • all outdoor spaces (including the Plaza, Codex, Promenade, Quad, parking lots and garages),
  • some spaces in the ARC,
  • and the Campus Library.

An immigration enforcement official must have a valid judicial warrant to access “limited access spaces, including:

  • all classrooms,
  • all laboratories,
  • all residential living spaces,
  • all private offices,
  • back area of the Kodiak Corner,
  • and any space that is card-access only or restricted to members of the campus community (such as the fitness center in the Activities & Recreation Center),
  • library study rooms.

The AOD will contact one of Cascadia’s Designated Employees to assist:

  • Dr. Eric Murray, President
  • Susan Thomas, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
  • Erin Blakeney, Vice President for Student Success Services
  • Dr. Tasha Vice, Dean for Student Learning

Employees should not interfere with or obstruct an immigration enforcement officer.

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