Guidance
This page compiles and summarizes advice from various resources about your rights if you are contacted by federal law enforcement agencies. It is not a substitute for legal advice.
The university does not share information with anyone, including law enforcement authorities, about immigration status, religion, nationality, ethnicity or other information about individual students without a student’s permission, unless presented with a judicially issued subpoena or other legally binding requirement. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, not the university.
Know Your Rights When You Make Decisions
The following advice is compiled and summarized from various external resources about your rights if individual community members are contacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
If you are contacted by ICE or the FBI, you can ask the law enforcement agent for their name and the name of their federal agency. Remember that contact by ICE or the FBI does not mean that you have done anything wrong or that you are under investigation. Most of the time, there is no rush to respond, and you can tell the agent you will call (or email) them back after you consider the request. Staff at the Bechtel Center can assist you with deciding how to respond, and can connect you to an attorney if appropriate.
- You have the right to remain silent. You are not obligated to answer questions from an FBI or law enforcement agent.
- You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney. Your refusal to talk to an agent may not be used against you if you say, “I want to speak to an attorney before speaking with you.” Even if you have started a conversation, you are allowed to tell the agent you do not want to answer any more questions without a lawyer present. Asking for an attorney does not make you more suspicious.
- You are not required to admit an agent to your home or apartment, unless the agent has an appropriate warrant. If the agent wants to enter your home, you have the right to ask for a warrant, which is a document signed by a judge saying the agent has the right to enter your home.
For staff and faculty handling inquiries
Staff and faculty who receive inquiries from law enforcement authorities about other members of the Stanford community should ask for the agent’s contact information and get back to them after they have the opportunity to seek guidance from Stanford's Office of General Counsel. Staff and faculty should inform the officer that they are not obstructing their process but need to consult with the Office of General Counsel for assistance. Staff and faculty may also wish to notify their supervisor or Dean's office.
Staff and faculty do not have authority to consent to the search or taking of university property or records. Contact the Office of General Counsel immediately if an agent provides a warrant, subpoena and/or is demanding access to university property or records.
Office of General Counsel contact information for faculty and staff
- during business hours, call (650) 723-9611
- after hours, call (650) 736-7808.
Staff and faculty who receive inquiries from members of the Stanford community looking for assistance should avoid soliciting detailed information about immigration status to protect confidentiality. Where appropriate, staff and faculty should work to direct such individuals to the relevant legal services.
Further guidance (pdf) for university faculty, staff or students who may be contacted by law enforcement is provided by the Office of the General Counsel.
FAQs regarding ICE presence on campus
Why would ICE officials show up on campus? There are several reasons why ICE agents might be on campus including to investigate the employment of individuals based on their immigration status, to conduct Form I-9 work authorization audits, to carry out a warrant, to conduct a search or arrest, or to serve a subpoena as part of an investigation.
What should an employee do if an ICE official approaches them on campus? Remain calm and professional. Ask the ICE agent to present their identification and ask for clarification about the purpose of their visit. If the ICE agent has a warrant, subpoena, or court order, ask them if you can make a copy (or take a picture). Inform the ICE agent that the University is represented by legal counsel so you will need to contact the Office of General Counsel. Contact the Office of General Counsel at 650-723-9611 (or after-hours emergency line at 650-736-7808). If you have any concerns about your safety or the safety of others, please contact the Department of Public Safety.
May an ICE official enter a non-public, limited space on campus (e.g., dormitories, offices/buildings that require key card access)? Federal immigration enforcement officers are required to have a criminal arrest or search warrant to lawfully enter limited access, nonpublic areas without consent, absent exigent circumstances. Most often, immigration officers who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants, also referred to as “ICE warrants,” are not signed by a judge and do not authorize officers to enter limited access areas without consent. If a federal immigration enforcement officer asks for access to a residence hall or other limited access area, University employees should ask the ICE agent to present their identification and for a copy of any warrant or subpoena they have. Inform the ICE agent that the University is represented by legal counsel so you will need to contact the Office of General Counsel. DPS can also be called if individuals feel they or others are in danger.
What spaces on campus can ICE officials lawfully be present? ICE agents may enter public areas of campus without permission. Individuals in these public areas still have the right to remain silent and to ask for their attorney to be present. If ICE agents have a valid judicial warrant, they have the legal right to enter non-public spaces to effectuate an arrest, inspect documents, or otherwise search the premises as specified in the warrant. If you are presented with such a warrant, or if you witness an ICE agent in a non-public part of campus, please contact the Office of General Counsel to ensure the ICE agent has the appropriate documentation to enter non-public spaces.