Finance and Administration

Questions and Answers on Immigration Procedures and Protocols

DOES SU PROTECT THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF?

Southwestern University considers a student’s immigration status as personally identifiable information and part of a student’s education record and is therefore protected by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that Southwestern University will not reveal such information without a student’s permission, a legal subpoena or a federal warrant.

Regarding faculty and staff, Southwestern University complies with all legal employment practices, which means that if a potential employee has the legal right to work in the US, we will not discriminate on the basis of citizenship or national origin. Once employed, their records are also considered personally identifiable information and cannot be revealed without permission, a legal subpoena or a federal warrant.

IS IMMIGRATION DATA AVAILABLE TO THE SU POLICE?

Southwestern University Police Officers have no access to, and make no inquiries into, the immigration status of a student, faculty or staff member.

DOES THE SU POLICE DEPARTMENT PROACTIVELY SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE LOCAL POLICE AND/OR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENCIES?

Southwestern University Police Officers do not participate with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in their work, or enforce immigration laws. They do share information with local police authorities when appropriate, but never in regard to the immigration status of a student, faculty or staff member.

WHAT HAPPENS IF ICE REQUESTS DOCUMENTATION WITH/WITHOUT A WARRANT?

Southwestern University will not provide private information about our students, faculty or staff to any government agency unless compelled to do so by a valid warrant or judicial order.

WILL SU DECLARE ITSELF A “SANCTUARY CAMPUS”?

SU will not declare itself a “sanctuary campus” because doing so could be misleading.  The phrase “sanctuary campus” has no commonly-accepted or clear definition, so adoption of such a label could create unintended negative consequences for our students, faculty and staff. Instead, SU will continue to provide robust and steadfast protection of the rights of all members of the University community.

REPORTS AND UPDATES TO THE SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY