Protecting our Campus Communities
Recent national changes in immigration enforcement and policies affecting international student visas have raised questions about Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ’s policies, resources and approach to issues related to immigration and international student status. The University is committed to protecting the safety, privacy and educational access of all of our community members, as well as to adhering to federal laws that safeguard student safety and institutional aid.
How Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà protects our campus communities
Coordinating law enforcement requests:
All law enforcement inquiries, including those from immigration authorities, are managed through the Department of Public Safety and Legal Counsel.
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How to respond to requests from law enforcement
Responding to law enforcement presence on Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà campuses
Law enforcement officers, including immigration and customs enforcement agents, may enter public areas of University campuses without a warrant. However, a judicial warrant or subpoena is required to enter areas where access is limited by locked doors, monitored entrances or University ID cards, including University residence halls and faculty and administrator offices. A judicial warrant or subpoena is also required for access to classrooms, labs and locker rooms.
The appropriate response to any immigration official on any of our campuses is:
Notify Public Safety:
Contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 313-993-1234. Provide a description of the agents’ location and actions.
Observe and document:
You have the right to document and report what you observe, but for your own safety, you should not attempt to interfere.
Refer:
If you are approached directly, refer agents to the Department of Public Safety at 313-993-1234. Do not accept service of warrants or subpoenas.
Legal counsel:
If you receive a subpoena or an order to appear in court related to a student, contact the University’s Legal Counsel, Monica Barbour, at 313-993-1951.
Protecting student privacy:
The Family Educational Records Protection Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records, including contact information, course schedules, whether or not a student is currently registered and any other personally identifiable information. Faculty and staff should not share this information with third parties and should refer any inquiries to the Office of the Registrar at 313-993-3313.
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How to respond to third party questions about students
What should I do if I am approached by members of law enforcement or ICE or FBI agents anywhere on or off campus asking about a student?
- Refer the officer/agent to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 313-993-1234.
- Contact DPS directly to make them aware of the referral to the office.
- Do not identify the student or provide any information or details about the student.
What if I receive a subpoena or order to appear in court related to a student?
- Contact the University’s Legal Counsel, Monica Barbour, at 313-993-1951.
- Do not respond to the subpoena or otherwise appear in court without first communicating with the University’s Legal Counsel.
What information may I share with a third party asking for a reference about a student?
- Faculty, staff and administrators may only share information about a current or former student with a signed release and/or written consent from the student.
- If asked for information about a current or former student by a third party, inform the third party that written release or consent by the student is required. Refer the third party to the Office of the Registrar at 313-993-3313. Faculty and staff must contact the Office of the Registrar for guidance or approval prior to sharing any student information.
- To ensure there is not an inadvertent breach of a student's privacy, no one should volunteer a student's contact information or identify a student on campus to an unknown third party. Only the Office of the Registrar should share this information.
What information does FERPA permit me to share about students?
- Under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, student education records may only be shared with other Detroit Mercy officials, including instructors, who have legitimate educational interest in that information. FERPA prohibits any faculty or staff member from providing any information orally that they could not provide in writing.
- Absent an emergency or a waiver from the student, Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà faculty members and staff generally may not provide or discuss any student information with anyone who does not work for the University - including parents or members of law enforcement.
- As permitted by FERPA, the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Registrar may disclose to third parties directory information about students, which includes, among other things, a student's name, address, email address, phone number, class level and major/minor field(s) of study.
- Students may elect to make their directory information confidential.
- Find additional information on FERPA.
Additional Resources
- Working for justice at the Immigration Law Clinic: The School of Law’s represents immigrants in matters including family sponsorship, Violence Against Women Act petitions and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, as well as representing clients in trials before the U.S. Immigration Court and hearings before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Preserving access to federal aid: Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ’s adherence to federal law ensures that students maintain access to financial aid programs, including federal grants and loans, that are critical for many of our students to support their education.
- Supporting international students: The International Services Office provides education and guidance to international students to ensure that the University and visa holders are in compliance with immigration regulations mandated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. ISO works with students, faculty and units across the University to promote cultural awareness and understanding and support the experience of international students. Students with questions about travel, border crossing or other issues related to international status should contact the primary designated student official (PDSO) on the , McNichols or Campuses.
- Catholic, Jesuit and Mercy values: Immigration is one of the . The Jesuits "are committed to ." Find further information and resources related to our sponsoring orders’ work and advocacy for the concerns of migrants as well as practical resources.