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Dear colleagues,
We have heard concerns from many of you about the implications of recent Executive Orders for our students, staff, and faculty who may be vulnerable for reasons of citizenship status. We want you to know that people across campus are working on support, protocols, and guidance. This is a time that is ripe for rumors to spread, so we hope that you will utilize the new website on Executive Orders and the research division's site on funding and agency updates. Alerts and advice specifically related to immigration or international issues will be kept up to date and posted on the International Services website. Questions can be directed specifically to the vice provost of international affairs at vpia@cornell.edu or www43@cornell.edu.
Attached is the University's guidance on interacting with federal agents, external law enforcement officers, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and a summary of the main bullet points below:
What to do if any external law enforcement official (including ICE agents, FBI agents or other state or local police) arrive at or contact your university office, classroom, laboratory, field site or living space:
- Be calm and courteous; do not take any action that could be perceived as interfering with an officer’s official duties. If you attempt to actively interfere, physically or otherwise, with the actions of an officer, you risk being subject to criminal prosecution.
- Generally, third parties including law enforcement agents do not have permission to access Cornell records or to search Cornell premises unless they have a valid legal authorization. Do not grant such permission without first consulting with CUPD and/or OGC.
- Do not answer questions about Cornell students, staff and faculty unless you are familiar with the person asking, and they have a regular business purpose with pre-approved access to that information (see note below).
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Request credentials or identification of agent(s); make copies if not provided with business cards. If agents do not provide business cards and refuse to have their information copied, write down their name, agency, title and badge number.
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Only CUPD and the Office of General Counsel are able to accept service of warrants and subpoenas on behalf of the University.
- If you are approached by any law enforcement, contact the Cornell office tasked with security in your location. This protocol is established to ensure a 24/7 rapid response. Cornell Police will reach out to OGC to review and evaluate requests from law enforcement.
- For the Ithaca campus: call the Cornell Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111 or by using RAVE Guardian and request that Cornell Police respond. Call this number whether you are approached in a private or public space on Cornell’s Ithaca campus.
- For Cornell Tech: call Cornell Tech Safey & Security (CTSS) at (646) 971-3611 or by using RAVE Guardian and request that CTSS respond.
- For other New York State locations that are Cornell-owned: Call the Cornell Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111, advise them of your location, a summary of what is occurring and that your require support. Call this number whether you are approached in a private or public space on Cornell owned property.
Best,
Trisica
Trisica Munroe
Director of Administration