Supporting Our Mixed-status and Immigrant-origin Communities

Dear University Community,

As we continue to navigate national discussions around immigration policies and ICE activities, I want to reaffirm Western Oregon University’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Many in our community feel uncertain and anxious, and I want to reassure you that we are committed to creating a safe space for everyone.

Our university is part of a diverse and vibrant global community that enriches our campus in countless ways. While the future of some federally funded programs is uncertain, our support for all students, regardless of immigration status, remains intact.

As I mentioned in my last email on this subject, Oregon has long been a Sanctuary State, emphasizing the safety and dignity of all residents. The 2021 Sanctuary Promise Act further strengthens protections for immigrant communities, ensuring transparency and accountability in government interactions with immigration authorities.

At Western, we strive to be a sanctuary for all, ensuring that every member of our community feels free to be their authentic selves. Here’s how we are reinforcing this commitment:

• Our public safety officers do not enforce immigration laws.
• We will not engage in immigration enforcement unless legally mandated.
• We uphold a respectful and inclusive community, encouraging civil discourse.
• We will not tolerate discrimination or threats, and we are dedicated to maintaining a welcoming environment.

We adhere to Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act and related laws.

Looking ahead, Western will direct all outside inquiries regarding immigration status to Campus Public Safety to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Below are instructions to follow should ICE officers approach you with a warrant.

Thank you for your continued work to maintain a community built on respect, connection, and care.

We. Are. Wolves.

Jesse Peters, President Western Oregon University

What Should I Do If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enters a Facility Seeking People or Records?

In the unlikely event that federal immigration enforcement comes to your office, department, etc., seeking people or records, please remember that WOU employees are NOT required to grant permission to federal officers to enter private University spaces without a valid judicial warrant.

Front-Line Personnel: Please take the following steps:

1. Be polite and do not take any action that could be perceived as interfering with an officer’s official duties.
2.  Say: “I understand you are here to enforce immigration law. However, I’m required to check in with my supervisor and Campus Public Safety before you proceed.”
3.  Excuse yourself and immediately inform your supervisor. Interrupt your supervisor if they are in a meeting or on a call. If your supervisor is not in the office, alert any other supervisor, manager, etc. That person will handle it from there or may give you further instructions.
    If you can’t locate a supervisor, please proceed with the supervisor steps described below.

Supervisors: If you encounter ICE in a facility or if an employee contacts you regarding ICE in a facility, please take the following steps:

1.  If the ICE officials DO NOT have a warrant, subpoena, or other legal document:
2. Tell the ICE officials:  You are not permitted to provide access or information without a warrant, subpoena, or other legal document; and you will contact Campus Public Safety to provide additional assistance.
1. Contact Campus Public Safety immediately to dispatch an officer to your location. Call 503.838.9000.
2. DO NOT permit access to WOU facilities or to records.
3. Campus Public Safety will interact with ICE officials, will coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, and may give you further instructions.

2. If the ICE officials DO have a warrant, subpoena, or other legal document:

• Tell the ICE officials that you are required to contact Campus Public Safety, and that department will be responsible for assisting ICE.
• Contact Campus Public Safety immediately to dispatch an officer to your location. Call 503.838.9000.
• Campus Public Safety will interact with ICE officials, will coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, and may give you further instructions.
• Campus Public Safety may ask you to take pictures of the warrant, subpoena, or other legal document presented by ICE. If Campus Public Safety asks for your assistance with this, please send the images to generalcounsel@wou.edu for review.

Email Requests From ICE: Do not reply to any email requests from ICE for student or employee information. Forward the email to your supervisor and the Office of General Counsel at generalcounsel@wou.edu.

Additional Resources:

For questions or concerns about this protocol, contact:

Dear Campus Community:

As our nation continues to have discussions concerning immigration policies, procedures, and laws, I want to emphasize Western Oregon University’s commitment to creating and maintaining a caring and inclusive community for our students, staff, and faculty. We understand that there is uncertainty and stress for many members of our community, as well as for their friends and families. I assure you that we will do whatever we can to create and maintain a safe and supportive learning and working environment.

Western Oregon University welcomes Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, and we remain fully committed to their academic success, safety, and overall well-being. Our nation is largely a nation of immigrants, and we are part of the global community of nations. People coming from all parts of the world have made the nation better in every measure. Though we do not know the future status of programs such as DACA, we are steadfast in our support for our enrolled DACA students and all students, regardless of immigration status.

Oregon has been a Sanctuary State since 1987, meaning it stands for the safety, dignity, and human rights of all Oregonians. To strengthen existing sanctuary laws, the Sanctuary Promise Act was passed in 2021, which increases safety and protection measures for immigrant communities through increased support, as well as transparency and accountability regarding government interactions with federal immigration authorities.

Western Oregon University is also a sanctuary for all, and we will continue to strive to make sure each student and employee feels they can be authentically themselves within our community. This means:

• Western campus public safety officers do not regulate or enforce immigration laws
• Western will not participate in immigration enforcement activities unless required to do so by a judicial warrant
• Western is committed to a safe, inclusive community and respects the rights of each community member to civil discourse
• Western will not tolerate threats or acts of discrimination and will strive to sustain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members of the university community
• Western will follow all requirements and procedures in accordance with Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act and other relevant statutes

Universities are places of plurality, spaces for respectful discussion and exploration of ideas. And I encourage all members of the community to be mindful of other perspectives as we continue improving our university in positive ways. I also encourage you to review this page for DACA and undocumented student support and resources.

As we look to the future, Western will refer all external requests for the immigration status of our community to our legal counsel to determine the legal basis for such requests. Furthermore, Western will remain actively engaged in local and national conversations regarding DACA and related programs designed to protect students and their pursuit of educational opportunities.

As our University Mission states, “Western Oregon University provides a personalized learning community where individuals experience a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.” We will work every day to ensure that is the case. We are here for you and support you.

We. Are. Wolves.

Jesse Peters, President Western Oregon University