Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Immigration Issues

Guidance for Federal Immigration Enforcement

This guidance serves as a framework to ensure legal compliance with federal regulations while preserving the rights and privacy of students, staff and faculty. Please note, the information is not intended as legal advice.

Site Visits by Immigration Officials

It is possible that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may seek to engage in enforcement activities on the University’s campuses. Although universities are public institutions with many areas open to the general public, there are also restricted sections that are not accessible to everyone. ICE officers are required to follow university protocols to enter restricted spaces. Generally, ICE officers may not enter areas with restricted access without a valid judicial warrant.

Public vs. Areas with Limited or Restricted Access:

• Public access areas: Publicly accessible areas that are not restricted or limited to enter.
  Examples: library common areas, dining areas, outdoor spaces, student union common areas, etc.
• Areas with limited access: While these areas are typically left unlocked during work hours, they may not be considered public areas due to their intended function; therefore, access may be granted only with special permission or based on the operational requirements. Examples: operational facilities, classrooms in sessions, study rooms in the library, etc.
• Areas with restricted access: These areas require a key or swipe cards to enter the specific areas.
  Examples: administrative buildings, research labs, faculty offices, academic buildings requiring swipe access, residence halls (beyond common areas), students’ rooms, locked classrooms, rec center (beyond common areas), etc.

International Students and Scholars and H-1B Employees

Please note, it’s a standard procedure for the University to report specific information about students in F-1 or J-1 visas with ICE, and the University must cooperate with on-site visit requests to review records. Also, there could be unannounced site visits related to H-1B petitions, and the University is required to cooperate by providing access to records when requested during these site visits. For any on-site visits related to F-1, J-1 or H-1B, contact CISP office at 419.530.4229. 

If you are Approached by Immigration Officials:

1. Please remain calm and take a brief pause to gather your thoughts. You should always cooperate with federal immigration officials in collaboration with Legal Affairs or CISP to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, including FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
2. Ask for the immigration official’s credentials, badge or business card. Determine which agency they represent and the purpose of the visit.
3. Make a copy of their credentials and any paperwork they present.
4. Determine if the purpose of the site visit is routine and whether the site visit is about a student or employee as different actions may be required depending on the visa status of the person being investigated.

• • If the visit relates to international students: Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) representatives conduct on-site reviews of F-1 and J-1 students. International students’ records are protected under FERPA. During a site visit for international students, the request must be made to a university Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) at 419.530.4229 for any SEVP site visits about an international student.
  • If the visit relates to H-1B petitions: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Labor (DOL) representatives may conduct site visits to follow up on information provided in H-1B petitions. Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) 419.530.4229 for any H-1B related site visits.
    • If you or your H-1B employee are not able to answer a question or provide requested documents during an H-1B related site visit, you may ask the officials for additional time and contact the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) at 419.530.4229.
    • If the officials want to interview an H-1B employee, you can request that one of the following university representatives be present for the interview: employee’s supervisor, attorney from the Office of Legal Affairs 419.530.8411 or Maryam Sediqe, assistant director of employment based immigration services, 419.530.4229. 
  • If the visit relates to anything else:  Inform the immigration officer that you will consult with the appropriate University personnel and please contact general counsel in the Office of Legal Affairs 419.530.8411. A copy of the official’s credentials and paperwork will need to be reviewed by Legal Affairs.

5. To ensure legal compliance while preserving the rights and privacy of students, staff and faculty, if you receive a request for information or a record, or immigration officials are searching for a specific individual on campus, please inform the officer that in accordance with University policy you must contact general counsel in the Office of Legal Affairs for assistance, 419.530.8411, and contact that office immediately.

Please contact your supervisor for assistance in reaching the Office of Legal Affairs Office or the Center for International Studies and Programs if it is outside of normal business hours of 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other Immigration-Related Issues

Issues with entering the United States

Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) for other immigration-related issues, including:

• Loss of passport or other important documents while overseas
• Detainment at U.S. port of entry by immigration officials
• Immediate threat of deportation while entering the U.S.

Please call OISSS at 419.530.4229 during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outside of OISSS's office hours, call Division of Student Affairs senior leader on-call at 419.343.9946

I-20s/DS-2019s travel endorsements

 The need for travel endorsement on I-20/DS-2019 documents is NOT AN EMERGENCY.  This can be handled via express mail. Please contact an OISSS team member during regular office hours.