Harper College
Undocumented Student Resources

Guidance for Immigration-Related Executive Actions

Posted: February 6, 2025

We understand many in the Harper community are feeling a deep sense of anxiety amid the new administration’s executive order regarding immigration enforcement. Here is some information about the executive order’s impact on the Harper community. We continue to closely monitor federal actions. Guidance will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Policy Changes

1. What does the removal of "sensitive” location status mean for Harper?

    • Colleges are no longer considered sensitive areas, meaning federal immigration agents are no longer restricted from conducting law enforcement operations, including arrests, in or around schools or college and university campuses.

2. How likely is it that federal law enforcement agents such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will conduct enforcement actions on our campuses?

    • Federal agents have typically focused on high-priority cases and criminal activity. While we are hopeful immigration enforcement operations will not take place in school settings, Harper is preparing itself for the possibility through training, legal consultation, and providing information and resources to the college community.

Campus Protocol and Response

3. What should I do if federal agents come to our campuses?

    • In the event immigration agents contact you, ask about the whereabouts of an individual, or request access to a person, classroom or workspace, call the Harper College Police Department immediately at 847.925.6330. Do NOT put yourself in danger or interfere in any way.
    • If you are at the Education and Work Center or Partners for Our Communities, call 911 first and then Harper police.
    • Remind students they have rights, including the right to remain silent. Remain calm and professional while awaiting Harper police to avoid escalating the situation.

4. What role do Harper police play in these situations?

    • Harper police will assess the situation, verify credentials and warrants, and ensure compliance with laws while protecting the campus community. As a public community college, Harper is largely open to the general public. However, federal immigration agents are not permitted access to non-public areas such as classrooms and offices without a valid, signed judicial warrant. Harper will not share student records or information with federal agents without a legal warrant signed by a federal judge. The college will continue to communicate with legal counsel to ensure that we understand and uphold the rights of our community.

5. Will Harper police work with federal immigration agents to arrest individuals on campus for an administrative matter such as residency or immigration status?

    • No, not for an administrative matter. Local, county and state law enforcement cannot enforce federal immigration laws under the Illinois TRUST Act unless federal agents have a judicial warrant or federal law specifically requires it. According to updated guidance from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued January 23, 2025, law enforcement authorities in Illinois generally are prohibited from assisting with any immigration enforcement operation. He states, “Civil immigration is the responsibility of the federal government. State law does not grant local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal civil immigration laws. This includes participating, supporting or assisting in any capacity with federal immigration enforcement operations unless federal agents have a criminal warrant or federal law specifically requires it.”

6. Should classroom doors be kept closed?

    • The college recommends that faculty keep their doors closed during class. This is the best practice for campus safety in general. In the unlikely event a federal agent comes to your classroom, call Harper police at 847.925.6330 immediately so they can validate the warrant and federal agent’s credentials and protect the rights of our community.

Warrants and Legal Procedures 

7. What type of warrant is required for federal law enforcement agents to gain access to Harper facilities?

    • Administrative warrants (not signed by a judge) do not grant access to non-public areas such as classrooms and offices without consent. Criminal warrants / judicial warrants (signed by a judge) allow access to our facilities, and compliance is required. Harper police will assess and verify the legitimacy of a warrant.

8. Can federal law enforcement agents enter classrooms or offices?

    • No, not unless they have a criminal warrant or explicit consent is given. If you encounter a request, call Harper police immediately at 847.925.6330 so they can validate the warrant and federal agent’s credentials and protect the rights of our community. The college recommends that faculty keep their doors closed during class as a best practice campus safety measure.

Rights and Resources 

9. What rights do undocumented students and employees have?

    • Everyone has guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status. This includes the right to remain silent and right to refuse entry if immigration agents do not have a valid warrant. Please refer to this resources page for a list of immigration, legal, financial and mental health resources; among these resources is a link to ACLU guidance on what to do and say if you’ve been stopped by police or federal immigration agents.
    • In addition, colleges are bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits educational institutions from disclosing protected student information, including a student’s citizenship or immigration status, without proper authorization.

10. What should I tell students or colleagues who are afraid of federal law enforcement activity? What resources are available?

    • Remind our students and colleagues that our campus remains a supportive environment, federal law enforcement presence remains unlikely, and that everyone has legal protections. Encourage students and employees to reach out for support, to review Know Your Rights information and to seek legal guidance as guidance may evolve. Please refer to this resources page for a list of immigration, legal, financial and mental health resources. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can learn, work and thrive.

11. Who should I contact with additional questions?

    • We appreciate your patience as we navigate this fluid situation. While we may not have answers to all of your questions, you can contact these areas for additional inquiries beyond what’s in this FAQ:

Please note: Federal officials may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions. In serving international students, the college is required to report certain information about F-1 or J-1 visa status students; reporting is routine and the college is required to comply with on-site visits when requested to review records.

Last Updated: 2/7/25