Each student who attends our university from another nation adds a fresh voice to the chorus of diversity that our campus seeks to cultivate. You are welcome here!

Information and resources for international immigrant communities at UIS 

Admissions

All students are welcome to apply to UIS regardless of citizenship or residency status. Residency status is not a factor that is considered in admission. Visit the International Applicants page for more information.

International Students

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) assists international students, faculty and staff in understanding and complying with U.S. immigration laws and regulations, as well as related resources. The ISS office is committed to keeping our international students informed of relevant immigration changes and has developed an Immigration News and Travel Advisories website to provide valuable resources and support specifically for our F-1 visa international students. Students are always welcome to make an appointment with their Immigration Advisor, call the ISS office, or stop by during Walk-In Hours if they have any questions or concerns.

Undocumented or DACA Students

The UIS Undocumented Student Liaison is Daniel Aguilar, dagui2@uis.edu or (217) 206-6333.

External Resources

FAQs for Faculty & Staff

Adapted from the University of Illinois’ Open Illinois FAQ website.

Can UIS prevent federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus or entering campus buildings and other university property?

A large portion of the UIS campus is open to the general public. Federal immigration enforcement officers may enter these areas open to the general public without a warrant.

However, public access is limited in certain areas of the campus and property. Some campus buildings have limited access, such as those restricted by university-issued ID card (i-card), locked doors or monitored entryways, including university residence halls. Limited access spaces also include some buildings and spaces that may be unlocked during normal operations, including administrative or faculty offices, classrooms, and research laboratories.

In what situations can federal immigration enforcement officers enter limited access, nonpublic areas?

Federal immigration enforcement officers are required to have a criminal arrest or search warrant to lawfully enter limited access, nonpublic areas without consent. Most often, immigration officers who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants are not signed by a judge and do not authorize officers to enter limited access areas without consent.

What should employees do if a federal immigration enforcement officer asks for access to a residence hall or other limited access area?

University employees should inform the immigration officer that you must consult UIS Police for assistance. University employees should ask the immigration officer for their name, identification number and agency affiliation. Ask the officer to wait and immediately call UIS Police at (217) 206-6690 to notify them of the immigration officer’s presence.

Will UIS Police work with federal immigration officers to apprehend and remove individuals from campus?

No. UIS Police will not ask anyone about their immigration status, and they do not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status. UIS Police also does not act on detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Illinois state law prohibits law enforcement from acting on federal detainers or stopping, arresting, or searching an individual based solely on immigration status (5 ILCS 805/-Illinois TRUST Act). As of June 21, 2019, the Keep Illinois Families Together Act (5 ILCS 835) officially prohibits state and local law enforcement in the state of Illinois from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE.

The only time officers are required to take immigration enforcement action is when a judge has signed a warrant, but UIS Police would not typically be involved in immigration enforcement under normal circumstances. In other situations not related to immigration (i.e., criminal situations), officers may inquire about an individual’s country of origin to notify their consulate of an arrest, but that inquiry does not include questions about immigration status.

What should employees do if a federal officer asks for or presents a subpoena for personally identifiable private information or records about a student or employee?

If the federal officer is on site, please consult with UIS Police to verify credentials. The UIS Police will then work with the individual to address the request. Faculty or staff who receive a request from a federal officer for any information about a student should contact the UIS Police for assistance. Personally identifiable educational and university health records are protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act (HIPAA). University employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records.

If any employees receive a request by mail or email from a federal enforcement officer soliciting information, they should send the subpoena or other document to the Office of University Counsel at uislegalcounsel@uillinois.edu for review and assistance. Typically, subpoenas do not require an immediate response. Personally identifiable educational and university health records are protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act (HIPAA). University employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records.

Federal enforcement officers will not request information by phone, and protected information should not be provided in this manner.

FAQs for Students

What resources exist to help me understand my rights?

Additional Resources

Anyone with emergency issues should still call 911, but those with non-emergency safety concerns may also contact these offices: