Sent to President's Council on January 31, 2025.
Colleagues,
We have received questions and concerns about rumors of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) coming to college campuses to detain or arrest individuals based upon their citizenship status. At the request of University Senior Leadership, Mason Police, who maintain excellent partnerships with federal and state law enforcement agencies, have proactively reached out to, and received guidance directly from, the office of the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security as well as senior ICE officials, to confirm there are currently NO plans by ICE to conduct any immigration enforcement directed at students and staff on Virginia college campuses. It was also emphasized that the current priority of ICE is to locate and arrest almost a million violent criminal offenders, not undocumented students and staff. It is also worth noting that the Mason Police have a long-standing policy of not disturbing any class in progress unless a matter of life safety is involved. Federal partners are expected to adhere to that policy.
It is important to note that ICE or other federal law enforcement officials may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions such as career recruitment fairs and guest lectures. Mason Police routinely work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. These contacts are often for routine situations (i.e. to interview someone).
That being said, in an effort to offer general guidance to our faculty, staff, and student populations about interacting with federal law enforcement, the following information may be shared. If a member of our university is contacted by someone presenting themselves as a federal law enforcement official on campus, here are the appropriate steps to take:
- Remain calm and professional. Stay composed and avoid escalating the situation.
- Politely ask the law enforcement official for identification and agency affiliation, if not already provided.
- Contact University Police directly at 703-993-2810 or through RAVE Guardian, providing your location and name. Follow the dispatcher's instructions until officers arrive to assist you. A senior level police official will provide support and assess whether the matter needs to be escalated to Senior Leadership.
The university prioritizes the community's safety and protecting the rights and privacy of students, staff, and faculty. Should new differing information about ICE's intentions become available, it will be provided at that time. If Mason Police or Mason staff become aware of any planned enforcement action, the University's Senior Leadership will be promptly informed in order to achieve a collaborative response where needed, which is also an established practice.聽
James Antony
Provost and Executive Vice President
Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life