Resources for Undocumented Students

State and federal laws, along with College policy, protect your personal information—including your immigration status. (Note: Waubonsee Community College does not collect immigration status during the enrollment process.)

We do not share your information with immigration officials unless:

• You give written consent, 
• There is a court order, 
• It is necessary for health and safety (e.g., medical emergency, natural disaster, or a credible threat to campus security, the College may disclose information to appropriate authorities or emergency personnel to ensure everyone’s well-being), or 
• Required for employee work authorization (I-9) audits.

In all other cases, the College will protect your confidential student educational information.

If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) officials arrive on campus, College personnel are trained to take the following actions:

Staff will:

• Contact Campus Police, who will then:
  • Ask for the official’s name, agency, and identification.
  • Request to see any official documents justifying their presence, such as a warrant signed by a judge. 
  • Ask the officials to wait while College administrators and the College’s legal counsel are contacted.

Until the appropriate administrator has consulted with the College's legal counsel, staff will NOT:

• Answer questions or share information about students or employees. 
• Confirm if you are a student or employee at the College. 
• Release your information, such as your immigration status. 
• Make you available for interviews. 

Note: Unless compelled by law or occurring in spaces open to the public, colleges are not required to allow ICE or CBP agents to speak to/arrest students or employees.

We want you to feel safe and informed wherever you are on campus. Here’s what you should know about how immigration enforcement officers may interact with students depending on the different types of College spaces—and how the College will respond in these different circumstances.

Public Areas (like lobbies, cafeterias, and walkways)

• What to expect: These areas are open to everyone, including federal officials. The College cannot stop them from entering public spaces. 
• Your rights: College staff should not immediately answer questions about you or share your information. If you see or are approached by an immigration officer, you do not have to answer questions. Staff are trained to notify Campus Police and College administrators right away.

Classrooms

• What to expect: Officers cannot enter your classroom unless they have a valid judicial warrant. 
• Your rights: Your instructor and staff are informed to call Campus Police, who are trained to check for proper documentation, notify College administrators and legal counsel, and to protect your privacy.

Restricted Areas (like locked offices and private meeting rooms)

• What to expect: These spaces are not open to the public. Immigration officers can only enter if they have a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge.
• Your rights: Campus Police will ask to see official documentation from immigration officials and immediately contact the appropriate administrators. If officials lack a valid judicial warrant, officers will not be allowed to enter.

NOTE: If immigration officials do not have a judicial warrant, the College will consult legal counsel and may deny access until a proper warrant is provided.

• Admissions
• Academic/Career Advising
• Mental Health Resources
• Community Resources 

• United We Dream
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
• Family Focus-Immigration and Citizenship Support
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• World Relief: Immigration Legal Services
• FWD.us
• National Immigrant Justice Center
• Immigration Law & Justice
• College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students - IACAC
• Family Preparedness Plan 
•  Up-To-Date Information and Resources
• Immigrants Rising 
• Informed Immigrant 
• National Immigration Law Center 

In general, it’s typically better to reach out to your representative over the phone. When you call your Senator or Representative, it’s important that you tell them how you feel. Your voice matters!

U.S. Senators

• Senator Durbin: Online Message Form or call (202) 224-2152
• Senator Duckworth: Online Message Form or call (202) 224-2854

U.S. Representatives

• Find your Representative based on your address or
• Call (202) 224-3121 (United States Capitol) to be connected to your representative or senators based on your zip code. Note: you may be provided with more than one representative based on your zip code. If you do not know your congressperson, please wait to speak to the operator for assistance.