In response to recent executive orders issued by the Trump administration, Western Washington University has issued a new policy on federal immigration enforcement’s access to campus and student records.
The decision aims to align Western’s policy with Washington state law.
On Friday, Jan. 24, Western’s Office of Equity held a webinar to discuss the policy with staff and faculty. During the meeting, which was held on Zoom, cameras and mics were disabled, and according to an email from the Office of Equity, 114 people attended the event.
Jacqueline Hughes, Western’s chief diversity officer, was one of three presenters at the meeting, and began by describing the importance of the new policy.
“This time together is intended to make sure our campus constituents are aware of how Western is preparing for the federal administration, and its potential impacts on our campus,” Hughes said. “Western is committed to ensuring that all of our constituents feel supported and safe.”
Kerena Higgins, senior council for the Office of the Attorney General, explained the impact of the executive orders.
“A number of executive orders were signed this past week, directly and indirectly involving immigration,” Higgins said. “Following the issuance of one executive order in particular, the Department of Justice issued interim guidance that appears to caution state and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.”
This interim guidance, which came in a memo from the Justice department, does not align with the Keep Washington Working Act, a law that clarifies Washington's role in immigration enforcement. According to Higgins, the act “states very clearly in the language of the law, that it is not state or local law enforcement's primary purpose to enforce federal immigration law.”
The new policy clarifies Western’s role amidst these contradictory laws. The policy focuses on two main areas: Student information and records, and immigration enforcement’s access to campus.
Western will not forfeit any student information except in these instances: If it is required by state or federal law, if it is in response to a lawfully issued court order, if it is necessary to perform agency duties not related to immigration enforcement, if it is required to maintain funding or if it is in the form of de-identified data.
In all other instances, collection, use or disclosure of student information is prohibited.
The policy also offers specific instructions on what to do if immigration officials are on campus.
Any faculty member that observes, or is contacted by immigration enforcement, is required to report that activity to the University Police Department (UPD) or the Assistant Attorney General's Office.
“Once UPD or the Attorney General have been contacted, the two will review the person's credentials, review the court order or judicial warrant, and determine the scope and validity of the document,” Higgins said. “UPD will deny access to information records and areas beyond the scope of the court order or judicial warrant.”
During the webinar, Hughes explained where campus immigration enforcement cannot go.
“Federal immigration officials cannot enter offices, classrooms, and residence halls without proper authority,” Hughes said.
However, immigration enforcement can enter public areas of campus, and if they have valid arrest or search warrants, they can be served.
Katy Potts, the assistant vice president of security and chief of police said that UPD will not assist immigration enforcement.
As of January 24th, Western has not received communication from any federal immigration enforcement agencies regarding Western students.
“I’m in constant communication with law enforcement in this area, and that includes homeland security and border patrol,” Potts said. “There has been no discussion about anything with Western or sweeps. I’m not hearing any talk about it in this area.”
For students who want to learn more about the policy, the Blue Resource Center is hosting information sessions about student rights on Feb. 11 and March 11 in the Viking Union room 735.
Liam Walsh (He/Him) is a city news reporter this quarter for the Front. He is a sophomore majoring in journalism with a news/editorial concentration. In his free time he plays for the Western rugby team. Reach him at liamwalsh.thefront@gmail.com
