UW–Madison outlines policies on immigrant students, faculty and staff

In recent weeks, many around campus, and in the broader community, have expressed concerns about the future of undocumented or international students, staff, and faculty and their families.  This includes those students who presently benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a diverse place, with students, faculty and staff from many different countries and many different backgrounds. This diversity enhances our research, teaching and outreach mission and makes our university a special place. We believe that this is a source of strength, creativity and innovation for our community.

Both our international students and our immigrant students – whether DACA students or not –are important to our campus. We value their presence.

We pledge to do all that we can to assure that every UW-Madison student has the opportunity to earn a college education and make a full contribution to society after graduation.

Because of questions that have been raised, we want to provide information about our policies at UW-Madison that may affect our immigrant or international student population.

  1. All UW-Madison students are protected by the same privacy laws and University policies. The University will never voluntarily release student information that is protected by FERPA (the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act) unless required to do so under a subpoena or other legal process.
  1. UW-Madison will not provide information on immigration status of its students or staff unless required to do so under force of law.
  1. The UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) will not participate in immigration enforcement actions conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (ICE). Our resources are limited and such enforcement is not part of UWPD’s duties.
  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers must use appropriate legal processes if they are on campus and wish to contact individual students about enforcement-related issues. For example, they generally cannot enter an on-campus private residence without a proper warrant.

We will work jointly with our governance groups to establish an advisory group of faculty, staff, and students to be consulted about policy concerns related to immigration status as well as international student status.  This group should work closely with the Dean of the International Division (on issues relating to international students), as well as with the Dean of Students.  The Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs or his designee will also meet with this advisory group.

Originally posted on Campus Climate on December 16, 2016.