Updated: January 20, 2026
Download a printable flyer on Responding to Civil Immigration Enforcement on University Property (pdf).
Can the University of Illinois prevent civil immigration law enforcement agents from coming on campus or entering campus buildings and other university property?
It depends. As a public, land-grant institution, a large portion of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus is open to the general public. Civil immigration law enforcement agents may enter these areas open to the general public without a warrant.
However, public access is limited in certain areas of the University of Illinois campus and property. Included in this category of limited access spaces are campus buildings in which access is restricted by university-issued ID card (i-card), locked doors or monitored entryways, including university residence halls. Limited access spaces also include some buildings and spaces that may be unlocked during normal operations, including administrative or faculty offices, classrooms, and research laboratories.
It is important to note that federal officials from the Department of Homeland Security may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions. As part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) through the Department of State, in which many International students participate, the university is required to report certain information about F-1 or J-1 visa status students to federal agencies, as it is an agreed upon part of SEVIS reporting. This reporting is routine, and the university is required to comply with on-site visits to review records when requested.
In what situations can civil immigration law enforcement agents enter limited access, nonpublic areas, including residence halls?
Civil immigration law enforcement agents are required to have a criminal arrest or search warrant to lawfully enter limited access, nonpublic areas without consent. Most often, immigration agents who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants are not signed by a judge and do not authorize agents to enter limited access areas without consent.
What should staff members do if a civil immigration law enforcement agent asks for access to a residence hall or other limited access area?
If a civil immigration law enforcement agent requests access to non-public areas of university property, asks questions, or seeks personally identifiable information or non-public records from university personnel, immediately refer the agent to the University Police and call the University Police non-emergency number at 217-333-1216 to notify them of the agent’s presence.
As outlined in the Campus Administrative Manual Policy BF-10: “Unless otherwise directed by the Office of University Counsel (Legal Counsel), Legal Documents received by all System and University offices at Urbana-Champaign and relating to University business must be delivered immediately to Legal Counsel…. If the law enforcement officer is present on site, immediately call University Police…and notify them of the law enforcement officer’s presence.”
If it is feasible to do so, document the date, time and details of the interaction, and, if available, the name of the agent, agency affiliation, identification number, and contact information. While you have the right to document and report the incident, do not obstruct or interfere with the actions of civil immigration law enforcement agents.
Will the University of Illinois Police Department work with federal immigration agents to apprehend and remove individuals from campus?
No. The University of Illinois Police Department will not ask anyone about their immigration status, and UIPD does not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status. UIPD also does not act on detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Champaign County Jail does not hold individuals affected by ICE detainers.
The only time law enforcement officers are required to take immigration enforcement action is when a judge has signed a warrant, but UIPD would not typically be involved in immigration enforcement under normal circumstances. In other situations not related to immigration, law enforcement officers may inquire about an individual’s country of origin to notify their consulate of an arrest, but that inquiry does not include questions about immigration status.
Additionally, Illinois state law prohibits law enforcement from acting on federal detainers or stopping, arresting, or searching an individual based solely on immigration status (5 ILCS 805/-Illinois TRUST Act). As of June 21, 2019, the Keep Illinois Families Together Act (5 ILCS 835) officially prohibits state and local law enforcement in the state of Illinois from entering into 287(g) agreements with civil immigration law enforcement.
Can a student refuse to allow a civil immigration law enforcement agent to enter a residence hall room?
Yes. 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. A student 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. The Office of the Attorney General for the State of Illinois has issued information to help immigrants living in Illinois from unconstitutional and discriminatory action: Know Your Rights.
Can civil immigration law enforcement agents enter off-campus apartments?
Not without a criminal warrant or consent. An individual’s rights are the same regardless of whether they live in on campus university housing or in an off-campus apartment. An individual 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.
Individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes, both on and off campus. A warrant of removal/deportation (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warrant) is a civil or administrative warrant and is not signed by a judge. Administrative warrants do not authorize agents to enter a home without consent. If an immigration agent has a civil or administrative warrant, students have a personal choice whether to grant consent to enter their residence. However, if a law enforcement officer has a criminal search or arrest warrant signed by a judge, the officer does not need consent to enter the apartment or arrest an individual named in the warrant.
In all cases, individuals have the right to the remain silent under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and do not need to answer questions, or sign or provide any documents without a lawyer present. The University of Illinois provides legal support for students through the Immigration Law Clinic in the College of Law.
What should staff members do if a federal agent asks for or presents a subpoena for personally identifiable private information or records about a student or employee?
Faculty or staff who receive a request from a federal agent for any information about a student or employee should contact the Office of University Counsel for assistance. Personally identifiable educational and university health records may be protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a university employee, you are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records.
Do not disclose non-public information, such as student information protected by FERPA or citizenship or immigration status information, or accept service of legal documents, such as a subpoena or warrant, before contacting the Office of University Counsel at 217-333-0560. If documents are presented, inform the agent that you are not authorized to accept service on behalf of the university or department and refer the agent to the Office of University Counsel.
What will the University do if civil immigration enforcement agents are on University of Illinois property?
The University of Illinois Police Department verifies whether immigration enforcement activity is occurring or has occurred on campus and assesses the potential impact on campus safety and operations. If University police confirms immigration enforcement activity and determines that it could adversely impact campus safety or operations, University police will inform the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Strategy or designee for purposes of fulfilling notification requirements under Illinois law. In such cases, the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Strategy or designee will notify the appropriate and affected unit or area to coordinate building access, crowd management, and communications, consistent with applicable law.
How are international students and scholars affected?
International students and scholars are affected differently. According to the Department of Education, the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) permits institutions to comply with information requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to comply with the requirements of the SEVP program. However, the information that can be requested and provided is limited to the categories listed in DHS regulations, and that request must be made to a campus Designated School Official (DSO). For other information, international student records are entitled to the same FERPA protection that otherwise governs student education records in the United States.
If you are not a Designated School Official (DSO), you should refer any DHS or civil immigration law enforcement request for information about an international student to the DSO and the Office of University Counsel.
I am concerned about my safety. What are my resources?
To report a crime, fire, or medical emergency, dial 911.
For non-emergency safety concerns, dial 217-333-1216 to connect with the University of Illinois Police Department. UIPD can provide advice or recommend the appropriate university resource.
Additional non-emergency safety resources include:
- Immigration Law Clinic, College of Law: (217) 244-9494
- Connie Frank CARE Center (formerly the Student Assistance Center) in the Office of the Dean of Students: (217) 333-0050 (Available 24/7)
- Counseling Center, Student Affairs: (217) 333-3704
- Faculty/Staff Assistance and Wellbeing Services: (217) 244-5312
- View more safety resources.
UIPD does not inquire about an individual’s immigration status, nor is that status documented in reports.
How can I learn more about the University’s procedures?
The University’s Immigration Status Privacy and Law Enforcement Interactions Procedures are available on the Open Illinois website. Learn more about the procedures.