Recommendations if You See or Encounter ICE or Other Federal Agents on Campus

A Message to the CU Boulder Community

The University of Colorado Boulder remains steadfast in our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all regardless of immigration status while also fulfilling our legal obligations as a public research university. At the same time, the university recognizes the anxiety and uncertainty that current events may be causing within the CU Boulder community.

While we cannot predict the future, it is unlikely that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would come to the CU Boulder campus to conduct mass immigration enforcement activities. To the best of our knowledge, ICE has not been on campus to conduct immigration enforcement activity over the past year.

This webpage serves as a guide for students, staff, faculty and others seeking to better understand:

  • The situations in which ICE agents may be on campus;
  • What parts of campus ICE agents may access and under what circumstances;
  • What to do if you see or encounter an ICE agent on campus; and
  • CU Boulder processes to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws related to immigration enforcement while also respecting campus community members’ civil rights.

We invite students, staff, faculty and others to review this information to better understand the legal rights and responsibilities of campus community members during interactions with ICE. While this guidance is specific to ICE agents, it may be applicable to other encounters with federal agents on campus.

 

Why Federal Immigration Agents May Be on Campus

It is important to note that ICE and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials may be on campus for reasons unrelated to immigration enforcement actions, including routine confirmations related to the visa status of international students and scholars,  lectures and career fairs. Each year, the university is required to report certain information about F-1 or J-1 visa status students to ICE, and must comply with on-site visits to review records when requested. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) expects and prepares for these visits and has protocols in place to respond to such instances.

Safety is Paramount 

Your safety on campus is paramount. If you do see or encounter ICE agents on campus and you feel concerned for your physical safety or the safety of others—as with any other perceived imminent safety threat—you should call 911. 

How To Recognize an ICE Agent

Many federal agents wear identifying uniforms and will provide identification or confirmation of credentials when requested. However, as reported by multiple media outlets, ICE agents may wear plain clothes (regular civilian attire), or black tactical vests marked with “POLICE,” “ICE,” or “HSI.” They may lack standard uniforms, instead appearing in military-style apparel and masks, and may carry firearms and handcuffs. 

If you are ever uncertain whether someone who is masked or not clearly identified as a law enforcement officer has a weapon on campus or may create an imminent risk to the campus community, you should call 911. 

Where ICE Agents Can Go on Campus

CU Boulder is a public university, and a significant portion of the main campus is open to the public. ICE agents may freely access any public area of campus the same as all members of the public. 

However, access is limited or restricted in other areas of campus due to privacy concerns, operational needs and safety considerations. Restricted access areas generally have locked doors and monitored entryways and/or require a key card to access.

ICE agents are subject to these same access restrictions unless they present a valid judicial warrant; they are not able to access these restricted campus spaces simply because they are ICE agents. However, it is not a general expectation of campus community members to intervene in these situations. If someone requests access to restricted space, contact CUPD. 

Guidance If an ICE Agent Approaches You 

As always, if you ever feel concerned for your safety or the safety of others, call 911.

  1. Request identification
    • Remain calm and politely ask for the ICE agent’s name, identification number, and agency affiliation.
  2. Do not obstruct
    • Do not physically interfere with, block or resist the ICE agent. Interference can lead to criminal charges. 
  3. Notify CUPD 
    • Inform the ICE agent that you are contacting CUPD for additional instructions CUPD can be reached at 303-492-6666 (24/7 availability). CUPD is part of the campus’s Division of Public Safety (DPS), and DPS serves as the university’s liaison to federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE and DHS. CUPD and/or DPS will engage university counsel as needed to assist with the ICE encounter and interpret any legal documents that the agent presents. However, please note that if the document is addressed to you personally, university counsel is unable to provide personal legal advice. Additional resources where you may obtain personal legal assistance are listed below.
  4. Review the documentation
    • Ask the ICE agent to allow you to review the documentation they have with them to justify the encounter with you. If you are unsure what to do and the documentation concerns you, see additional information below for resources that may help. If the documentation concerns someone else, students should contact the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@colorado.edu, and faculty and staff should contact Human Resources at hrmail@colorado.edu for further instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Immediately contact CUPD dispatch at 303-492-6666 for 24/7 assistance. 
  • Ask the immigration officer to wait until CUPD arrives and provides additional guidance.
  • Tell the ICE agent that you are not authorized to provide information about students or employees. 
  • For students, direct the agent to contact the Registrar’s Office; for employees, direct the agent to contact Human Resources.
  • Immediately contact CUPD dispatch at 303-492-6666 for 24/7 assistance.
  • Ask the immigration officer to wait until CUPD arrives and provides additional guidance.
  • Do not grant access to anyone without their own access to a restricted area of campus. If you are in this situation with an ICE agent, tell the ICE agent that you are not authorized to grant access to restricted areas. 
  • Colorado law prohibits law enforcement officers, including CUPD, from acting on an ICE detainer or administrative warrant or stopping, arresting or searching an individual based solely on immigration status.
  • However, CUPD may not obstruct ICE agents acting within their lawful authority. CUPD must cooperate with or assist ICE agents in the execution of a valid judicial warrant. A judicial warrant can be an arrest warrant or a search warrant. It will contain a court heading (U.S. District Court or Boulder District Court, for example) and be signed by a judge. 
  • The university stands ready to support members of the campus community should they be impacted by ICE enforcement activity, and the university would work directly with the individual to maintain their privacy. Students should contact the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@colorado.edu, and faculty and staff should contact Human Resources at hrmail@colorado.edu, if they need additional support in this area.

 

Where Can I Go for Additional Support or Assistance?

Student & Employee Support Services

The Immigration Law Clinic is open to any Colorado resident seeking assistance with immigration-related matters. Contact: 303-492-5830 or email clinic director, Professor Violeta Chapin, at violeta.chapin@colorado.edu. Walk-in appointments are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ISSS provides immigration alerts and other resources for international students and scholars.

CU Boulder students may contact CAPS at 303-492-2277 (24/7 phone) to schedule an appointment. Clinic hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FSAP serves CU Boulder faculty and staff, who may contact 303-492-3020 to request an appointment. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OVA serves CU Boulder faculty and staff, who may contact 303-492-8855 or assist@colorado.edu to request an appointment. 

Office hours are: 

  • Winter and Spring: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Summer: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

 

Additional Campus Resources

Community Guidance & Resources 

The Boulder County District Attorney’s office and the Boulder Police Department have provided the following guidance and resources to Boulder residents and visitors, which includes members of the CU Boulder community: