Uncertainty and fear invaded Whitworth’s campus when the Trump administration passed a series of executive orders encouraging aggressive immigration enforcement. Students’ rights and protections that had been certain before became unclear. Whitworth responded by providing an updated policy about the protection of student data and by offering Q&A sessions to answer legal questions.
Kendra Guttridge, coordinator of Whitworth’s Multicultural Leadership Program, said that she had heard feelings of “hopelessness and anxiety for a lot of students,” not just that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would come to campus, but that enforcement would affect their family and friends as well.
“I’ve heard students express the fear of being powerless, of being on campus and studying and trying to be a college student, but knowing at the same time that their neighbors and their friends and family are being deported,” said Guttridge.
In response to the executive orders enabling aggressive immigration enforcement, Whitworth released a webpage titled “University Support and Resources for Undocumented Students,” which detailed university policy for student and employee rights, as well as an updated policy regarding ICE visits.
What are Whitworth’s student rights?
Students are affected differently depending on their citizenship status, so the first step to understanding their legal rights is to understand citizenship. The shift in immigration enforcement policy is related to the status of undocumented migrants, said Dr. Mickie Abercrombie-Donahue, Whitworth’s Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
However, all students have rights as members of the Whitworth community. These rights come as a result of being on campus, being enrolled in Whitworth courses and being residents of the Whitworth community, explained Abercrombie-Donahue.
“ICE officials have boundaries around their roles, and we intend on making sure that those activities are within the boundaries of the law that govern their behavior on our campus,” she said. Students’ legal rights include privacy of information provided by FERPA and HIPPA, which can only be violated by a criminal warrant signed by a judge.
If students are unsure of the best way to understand and protect their rights, there are several community resources available to provide assistance. Whitworth’s Resource Site provides the basic information, as well as a list of legal aid and advocacy groups like Manzanita House and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
Additionally, Whitworth University Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted four Q&A sessions to answer more specific questions about student rights and university policy.
Students who are not comfortable attending public meetings can also reach out to community legal aid groups or trusted Whitworth faculty members.
“I personally would like individuals who may or may not feel comfortable coming to the information sessions to feel free to come talk to me or talk to other people on campus if they need access to these resources, or they need me to reach out on their behalf so I can connect them to them as well,” said Abercrombie-Donahue.
If legislation regarding student rights and information protection changes, Abercrombie-Donahue said that Whitworth administration will work hard to keep students up to date on policy changes. She encouraged students with further questions to reach out to her for more information.
How does Whitworth handle interactions with ICE?
Whitworth’s Resource Site and updated policy was in response to an order from the Department of Homeland Security repealing a guideline that gave universities a protected status from ICE as a ‘sensitive location.’ The policy states that “[Whitworth] will not voluntarily release protected student information, including citizenship or immigration status, unless compelled by law to do so.”
This does not mean that Whitworth students are required to give information to ICE officials. To legally demand information, ICE officials have to present their documentation and warrant to the registrar’s office.
For Whitworth students, staff or employees, that means that ICE officials should be sent immediately to the registrar’s office, campus security or Nick McKinney, Whitworth’s Assistant Provost, so that the documentation and warrant can be verified.
Whitworth cannot deny ICE or federal immigration officers access to public areas like the loop or coffee shops. However, officers are required to have a criminal arrest or search warrant signed by a judge in order to enter residence halls or student residences.
Abercrombie-Donahue emphasized that “Whitworth faculty, staff and students may not release protected student information to ICE officials. Instead, ICE or federal immigration must be sent to the Office of the Registrar.”
Students curious about the legal limits of ICE’s jurisdiction on Whitworth’s campus can reach out to Abercrombie-Donahue at [email protected] or to local legal advocacy groups for more specific information.
What can students do?
“It’s really important that students feel informed and that they can sort out what is a reality and what is false information that causes more fear,” said Guttridge. Students can stay up to date by checking Whitworth’s most updated policies, reaching out to legal advocacy groups or contacting reliable authorities.
Students who might be worried about interactions with ICE officials can remain prepared by bringing their citizenship documents or paperwork with them. To be extra safe, students could also have a friend hold an extra copy of their paperwork as a backup. Guttridge also said that students should not be afraid to film interactions with ICE officials in public spaces.
Abercrombie-Donahue said that if students see something they feel needs to be addressed, they should share it with a student leader who can help affect change in student life.
Guttridge said that, in volatile times like this, community can act “as the anti-venom to the poison of fear and displacement and isolation.” Later, she said, “I think that that is the heart of the Christian mission, as well as Whitworth’s. That when one part suffers, we all suffer with it.”
For more information, read through the resources listed on the updated university resources webpage or contact Dr. Mickie Abercrombie-Donahue at [email protected].
