🔒UConn issues new guidance on potential immigration enforcement visits to campus

The University of Connecticut has issued new guidance to students, faculty and staff on how to respond if federal immigration agents appear on campus, though the university said it has received no reports of planned or confirmed visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. “Recent events across the nation have raised questions within our community regarding what students, faculty and staff can or should do in the event they encounter Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on UConn property,” the university said in a message to the campus community. The guidance, released Thursday, establishes a three-step protocol for situations where law enforcement, federal agents or immigration officials seek to enter a non-public space. The steps are: inform the immigration official that you are required to contact University Safety and request they wait; call the University Safety hotline at (860) 486-4800 and provide your name, department and location; and escalate communication to your supervisor. While external law enforcement agencies, including immigration officials, are permitted in public areas, the guidance directs community members to follow the procedure when law enforcement seeks to enter non-public spaces, such as classrooms or employee offices, or requests access to records. The university emphasized that employees should not interfere with or obstruct law enforcement officials under any circumstances. UConn noted that it is not unusual for external law enforcement agencies, including Connecticut State Police and the FBI, to visit campus, and their presence is “entirely permissible.” Undocumented students can access resources through the Dean of Students Office. The university also provided a listing of legal resources and community partners that may assist members of the campus community.