This FAQ provides answers to common questions related to federal immigration enforcement on campuses. It outlines institutional obligations in the event of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal immigration enforcement presence on campuses, and how institutions of higher education can protect members of their campus communities. For additional resources on ICE, campus safety, and immigrant rights, visit the Rights and Protections Resource Hub on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
On January 20, 2025, the new Administration rescinded the 2021 policy that prohibited federal immigration officers from taking enforcement actions (such as an arrest) “to the fullest extent possible” in or near protected areas, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship. As a result of this rescission, campuses no longer have special protections from immigration enforcement. As of the date of this writing, ICE has not provided a specific directive about how and whether it will take enforcement action on campuses. Importantly, the rescission itself does not mean that previously protected areas are now priorities for immigration enforcement.