No. NIU cannot prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus to enforce federal law. However, you must alert NIU Police 815-753-1212 that an immigration enforcement officer is present on campus.
This briefing outlines steps for NIU faculty and staff to follow if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents come to campus. The document is not legal advice, but rather guiding principles to ensure legal compliance while protecting the rights and privacy of students, staff and faculty.
As a public university, Northern Illinois University (NIU) welcomes the public to a significant portion of its campus. However, access is restricted or limited in areas due to privacy concerns, operational needs or safety considerations. Federal immigration enforcement officers are subject to these same access restrictions and must adhere to university protocols when entering non-public spaces.
It is important to note that ICE or federal Department of Homeland Security officials may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions such as career recruitment events and guest lectures.
Due to our international programs, the university must report certain information about students such as F-1 or J-1 visa status to ICE. This reporting is routine, and the university must comply with on-site visits to review records when requested.
| Access Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public Access | Areas open to the general public where entry is not restricted or limited. These spaces are freely accessible and may include outdoor and common-use areas. | Library common areas, Northwestern Medicine, Counseling and Consultation Services, Holmes Student Center common areas, walkways, Convocation Center, cultural centers, hallways in academic buildings, dining areas open to the public, unrestricted access buildings and streets. |
| Restricted Access | Areas that require a key card, locked doors, or monitored entryways for access are protected to maintain safety and privacy. | Student rooms in residence halls, locked classrooms, administrative offices and restricted research laboratories. |
| Limited Access | Spaces are generally left unlocked during work hours but are not considered public due to their function. Access to these areas may require special permission or operational needs. | Faculty offices, classrooms in session, locker rooms, kitchens, food preparation areas, maintenance areas, storage rooms and other operational facilities. |
In the event that non-NIU law enforcement come to NIU’s DeKalb, Naperville or Rockford locations to inquire about NIU students, faculty, staff, visiting scholars or guests, members of our campus community are asked to do the following:
Stay composed to avoid escalating the situation.
Print a contact card to keep with you for easy access to these protocols.
Immigration Customs Enforcement Roles/Responsibilities—NIU Faculty and Staff
This FAQ is not legal advice, but guiding principles designed to ensure NIU faculty and staff understand their rights and responsibilities when interacting with immigration enforcement officers while protecting the privacy and safety of our campus community. Contact Dr. Matt Streb for assistance if you have further questions or concerns.
No. NIU cannot prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus to enforce federal law. However, you must alert NIU Police 815-753-1212 that an immigration enforcement officer is present on campus.
NIU is required to provide access for federal immigration officers to a restricted-access building if the officer(s) provide a valid judicial warrant.
Refer the officer to NIU Police, and immediately call NIU Police at 815-753-1212 to let them know law enforcement is on campus. NIU Police will come to your location to assist in the matter and will also contact the appropriate university administrators to determine the appropriate next steps.
No. As an NIU employee, per federal privacy laws, you must maintain the confidentiality of personal and personally identifiable information, including student records.
If you are asked for student personal information by an individual who identified themselves as a federal immigration officer, regardless of whether they present a subpoena, inform the officer that you need to contact university administration and immediately contact NIU Police 815-753-1212 for further guidance. NIU Police will then contact the appropriate administrator(s) needed.
Generally, ICE can only require you to allow entry to these spaces with a specific type of warrant. Should this occur, follow the instructions outlined above.
No. NIU cannot prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus to enforce federal law.
It depends. If the immigration enforcement officer has a certain kind of warrant, then the answer is yes. But, if the immigration enforcement officer does not have that kind of warrant, the answer is no. Please immediately refer the officer to NIU Police and call NIU Police at 815-753-1212 to notify the police that agents are on campus.
Generally, yes. A residential hall room is considered a limited access area and cannot be legally accessed by immigration enforcement officers without a valid criminal warrant or the voluntary consent of the occupant. A student generally need not allow entry to any law enforcement officer who is not in possession of a criminal warrant, regardless of what that officer might say.
Personally identifiable educational and university health records are protected by various privacy laws, including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). As a university employee, you must maintain the confidentiality of these records. If you receive a request for personally identifiable information or documents, or if a federal immigration enforcement officer gives you a warrant or subpoena seeking such records, before providing any information, you should confirm that you are authorized to provide access to the specified records or information. Please contact NIU Police at 815-753-1212 and they will help facilitate and involve the appropriate university administrators to be compliant with federal privacy laws.