UW-Milwaukee is an institution with global impact that deeply values its diversity and the contributions of all immigrant and international students, faculty and staff members.
There have been several activities at the federal level that could potentially impact the future of members of our international campus community. We continue to closely monitor the changing developments. Additionally, we are providing an outline of UWM’s policies here along with resources:
- We are committed to our Guiding Values, especially those that call for:
- A caring, compassionate, and collegial community characterized by mutual respect and safety.
- Diversity in all of its definitions, including who we are, how we think, and what we do.
- UWM policy prohibits discrimination based on, among other factors, race, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, and religion.
- All UWM students are protected by the same privacy laws and University policies. UWM will not voluntarily release student information protected by FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) unless it is legally allowed to, required to do so by a subpoena, court order, or warrant, or for campus or individual safety and security concerns.
- UWM will not provide information on immigration status of its students or staff unless legally required to do so by a subpoena, court order, or warrant.
- The UWM Police Department does not ask individuals for citizenship information but may acquire or share such information in rare cases where it is conducting investigations of serious crimes.
- The UWMPD does not assist with deportations and is not an arm of federal immigration enforcement. UWM may be required to comply with lawful warrants on campus, but employees have been instructed to contact the UWMPD and Office of Legal Affairs to ensure any warrant is lawful.
- The Roberto Hernandez Center (RHC) and the First-Generation+ Resource Center have a number of resources for students, staff, faculty and administrators.
- The First-Generation+ Resource Center coordinates the UWM “Dreamers” initiative and provides support and information to undocumented students at UWM. IEC, in collaboration with the Undocumented Student Task Force (USTF), have trained and will continue to offer an annual “Undocually” training for faculty and staff who wish to learn more about current and historical information related to undocumented students, understand UWM campus policies and practices, the problems undocumented students face, and what resources exist to help them.
- The Center for International Education (CIE) is the primary point of contact for students, faculty, and staff on UWM-supported visas. Immigration law in the US is constantly changing, to adequately protect undocumented students UWM will continue to provide communication, support, and resources as information is available.
- General access to UWM is defined by Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter 18. Questions concerning access to classrooms and offices are addressed in this guidance regarding immigration enforcement on campus accompanying this outline.
- In the event that anyone receives a subpoena or warrant from a law enforcement agency, they should contact the UWMPD (414-229-4627) and the Office of Legal Affairs (414-229-4278) for guidance. Additional information about warrants is provided in this guidance regarding immigration enforcement on campus accompanying this outline.