On Jan. 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded prior agency guidance on immigration enforcement actions in “sensitive” areas, which included schools and university campuses. This change in guidance has prompted questions about how to address federal agency enforcement actions on campus. The instructions below apply to any outside government agent requests for information or access to campus spaces, but does not include background check processes, which are managed by and should be referred to UWM’s Public Records Custodian. UWM complies with all applicable laws and is committed to cooperating with law enforcement within the constraints of the law and our own delegated responsibilities.
The following guidance applies to UWM employees.
If any outside government agent comes to your workplace:
- Be respectful.
- Take enough time for yourself to think through and formulate your answers.
- Ask the agent for their name and to see their government issued badge and photo ID. Most likely the agent will show you their badge without you asking. If not, it is your right to ask for this.
- If the agent approaches a student worker first, the student should immediately get an available supervisor.
- Verify the agent’s identity and agency with badge and agency ID.
- The agents may be federal or state officers, federal or state auditors, or other similarly situated individuals. Ask the agent why they are on campus if they have not shared that information already.
- Explain that you are not authorized to release any information or provide access to non-public spaces without talking to the UWM Police Department and the UWM Office of Legal Affairs.
- Ask the agent to have a seat in a waiting room or lobby. If you do not have such a space, politely ask them to wait where they are while you try to reach the proper contact.
- Call the UWM Police Department at 414-229-4627 and the UWM Office of Legal Affairs at 414-229-4278.
- Tell the campus officer and UWM attorney the following information: “Agent X from the Department of Y is here asking for Z.”
- DO NOT leave a message with Legal Affairs.
- If no one from Legal Affairs is immediately available, tell the agent that no one is available right now and ask if they can come back another time.
- Do not give the agent access to any paper files, any computer systems, or other information until the UWMPD and/or Legal Affairs can respond.
- Any federal law enforcement requests for private student or employee information must continue to comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
- Agents are free to enter any public areas of your workplace but must have a valid search warrant to enter a non-public area. Do not give your consent to enter a non-public area.
- Public areas may include reception, waiting areas and lobbies; open dining areas such as cafeterias; restrooms; and other common areas accessible by members of the public without screening or escort.
- Non-public areas include private offices and laboratories; locked areas; private residential rooms; residence hall areas restricted to residents; classrooms and lecture halls that are currently in use; and other secured or restricted-access areas designated for instructional or research use.
- A valid warrant must be signed and dated by a judge. It will include a period within which the search must be conducted, a description of the premises to be searched, and a list of items to be searched for and seized (e.g., payroll records, employee identification documents, I-9 forms, SSA correspondence, etc.).