Questions about ICE Officers on UW Bothell Property

While immigration officials cannot enter a classroom, laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order, the UW cannot legally prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a UW campus or facility. There may also be instances when UW will be required to respond to valid criminal warrants or judicial orders.

Generally, no. Washington state law prohibits the sharing of information or use of state resources, including University resources, to target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin, except when otherwise complying with federal or state law.

Faculty or staff who are approached by or receive a request from a federal agent for information about a student or employee should contact Campus Safety. Inform the agent that UW protocol requires you to contact your supervisor or Campus Safety and ask them to wait.

Do not disclose non-public personal information or accept service of legal documents, such as a subpoena or warrant, before contacting the Office of Campus Safety at 425.352.5359. If documents are presented, inform the agent that you are not authorized to accept service on behalf of the university or department and refer the agent to the Office of Campus Safety.

Faculty and staff are reminded that personally identifiable educational and university health records may be protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a university employee, you are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records.

Faculty or staff who are approached by or receive a request from a federal agent to access a residence hall or other limited access area should request information from the officer, and then ask them to wait while a supervisor or Campus Safety is contacted, per UW protocol.

Do not disclose non-public personal information or accept service of legal documents, such as a subpoena or warrant, before contacting the Office of Campus Safety at 425.352.5359. If documents are presented, inform the agent that you are not authorized to accept service on behalf of the university or department and refer the agent to the Office of Campus Safety.

Importantly, if the agent is not willing to wait do not attempt to physically block or interfere.

Yes, students can refuse to allow civil immigration enforcement entry into their room. Therefore, valid criminal warrants, judicial orders, or consent from the resident are required. Students, staff and faculty may access Know Your Rights information online at the ACLU’s site.

If immigration enforcements agents are on campus, Campus Safety will do the following:

• Ask the federal officials for their names, identification numbers, agency affiliations and a copy of any warrant, court order or subpoena they may have.
• Work with the Attorney General’s Office and Bothell Police Department to respond to the federal officials appropriately, given relevant state and federal laws.
• Notify the Office of the Chancellor and other members of the Chancellor’s Executive Team.

To report a crime, fire, or medical emergency, dial 911.
For non-emergency safety concerns, dial 425.352.5359 or submit an online report to connect with the University of Washington Bothell Campus Safety Department. Campus Safety can provide advice or recommend the appropriate university resource.

Additional non-emergency safety resources include:

• SafeCampus: 206.685.7233
• WA EAP (employees): 877-313-4455 24/7 hotline
• View more safety resources

Learn more about the University of Washington’s procedures at our public page, Campus Community Safety.