Last updated: October 13, 2025<\/p>\n
The following is the protocol for all University of Washington academic campuses, including Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell, and healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are made aware that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained an employee, it\u2019s critical to follow the UW protocol when any information is received.<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Supervisor receives information:<\/strong> An employee\u2019s supervisor is likely to be the first person contacted by the employee or their family if they are detained. The supervisor should attempt to get the following information from the employee:<\/p>\n 2. Supervisor informs department HR manager immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. Department HR manager communicates all information immediately to:<\/strong><\/p>\n 4. Department gathers information about the impacted employee and analyzes circumstances and operational needs in partnership between leaders above.<\/strong> Consistent with UW policy, the group considers the following on a case-by-case basis:<\/p>\n Circumstances<\/strong><\/p>\n Operational needs<\/strong><\/p>\n 5. Departments along with those consulted as outlined in #3, (UWHR, AGO, Global Affairs, and Campus and Community Safety analyze circumstance and\/or operational needs to determine available supports and next steps, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n 6. Department HR manager (in partnership with HRC) follows up with the employee\/family contact to share:<\/strong><\/p>\n Where it is legally permissible to do so, units will, when possible, use the supports listed below to assist the employee without negatively impacting their visa status or immigration proceedings. In the event units are concerned or unsure about their ability to authorize use of the supports below, they must work closely with UWHR on assessing available options and mitigations before denying a specific request by the employee or their legal representative.<\/strong><\/p>\n The following FAQs are also available through Campus & Community Safety blog post: UW protocol for responding to requests from federal law enforcement agencies<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stay calm. Staff should not insert themselves into a situation to try to help or stop immigration officers while doing their job. Immediately call your campus or UW Medicine safety office<\/strong> (see contact numbers below) and notify your supervisor.<\/p>\n Campus safety officials will work with the Attorney General\u2019s Office so that we can respond appropriately given relevant state and federal laws.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No, federal agency personnel cannot<\/strong> enter classrooms, labs, campus residences, or private offices<\/strong> without a valid warrant or judicial order.<\/strong> However, they can<\/strong> enter public spaces<\/strong> on campus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If an officer requests information, remain calm and professional. Ask the law enforcement officer for their name, identification number and agency affiliation.<\/p>\n Inform the agent that UW protocol requires you to contact your campus safety office (or administrator on call if you work in the medical centers) and your supervisor<\/strong>. A trained officer or campus safety employee will respond to take over engagement with the agent, determine the purpose of their visit and involve the Attorney General’s Office.<\/p>\n You may ask the officer to take a seat nearby in a public area while they wait for you to contact a campus safety officer and your supervisor or, in the case of UW Medicine locations, the on-call administrator.<\/p>\n If you are questioned by agents, consider these responses:<\/p>\n No. You are not required to share personal information<\/strong> with immigration officials just because they ask for it. Do not share student information<\/strong> with immigration officials without authorization from the Attorney General\u2019s Office. Student records are protected by federal law (FERPA).<\/p>\n Washington state law prohibits<\/strong> UW from using its resources to assist federal immigration enforcement or to target individuals based on race, religion, immigration or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin,<\/strong> except to comply with state or federal law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h4>\n
What should I do if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal agency personnel come to my workplace?<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
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Can ICE or other federal agency personnel enter classrooms, offices, or campus residences?<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
What if an officer asks me questions?<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
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Am I required to provide personal information to ICE officials?<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
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What does Washington state law say about immigration enforcement at UW?<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n