51ºÚÁÏ

February 11, 2026

Dear Campus Community,

Many of you have reached out to my office and other offices at the University with questions regarding the deployment of federal immigration officials to cities and neighborhoods throughout the country. In addition to your questions, we have also heard your concern that federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), could arrive on our campus. These concerns can become anxieties for anyone — regardless of your immigration status, citizenship or heritage — so I want to share how we are addressing these concerns.

First, over the past several months, offices have been communicating directly with students who may be impacted by executive orders and policies from the federal government regarding visa status. The Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) is an excellent source of up-to-date information and resources for our international students, faculty and staff members. For any member of our community with questions or concerns regarding their immigration documentation, I encourage you to reach out to this center, if you have not already.

The Office of the Provost has shared information in recent weeks to address questions of what to do if you see a federal law enforcement agency on campus. We have no specific reason to expect these agencies would come to campus. As a precaution, information is available on our website with guidelines on how you should or should not respond if you would encounter or be approached by a federal agent. You can find that resource using this link.

I encourage you to read this document in full, but I would like to highlight a few items of note:

• First and foremost, it is not your responsibility — as a student, faculty or staff member — to respond on the University’s behalf to a federal agency’s request. The Office of General Counsel reviews and responds to all legal requests of the University. If you would see a federal agent on campus, you should direct them to General Counsel, located in the Administration Center (AC 327). If this occurs after business hours, direct them to 51ºÚÁÏ PD in the Campus Safety Building or contact 51ºÚÁÏ PD at 216-687-2020.
• Second, it is important to know that federal agents have the legal right to enter public spaces on our campus. For example, public spaces include the Michael Schwartz Library, the Viking Outfitters bookstore, public restrooms and restaurants. Private spaces on our campus should not be accessible to federal agents without a warrant or University approval. These spaces include residence hall rooms, classrooms in session, and faculty and staff offices.
• Finally, you should not intervene or physically interfere in a federal agent’s activity, even if you feel those actions are not conducted in compliance with University guidelines. Again, you should contact the Office of General Counsel or 51ºÚÁÏ PD if you believe the agent/officer does not have the right to be there.

We will update these guidelines as needed and will continue to provide information to the members of our community most impacted by federal policies and actions. 

As we have seen on our campus and across the country, groups are using their voice to express themselves regarding the actions of federal agencies. That is your right. 51ºÚÁÏ is committed to free speech and an environment of open, respectful dialogue. As a reminder, our Free Speech and Expressive Activity policies outline how groups can assemble in a safe, appropriate manner on our campus.

We are a diverse community of learners. That diversity remains one of our University’s greatest strengths. And we will continue to foster an environment where everyone feels that they belong.

Sincerely,

Laura Bloomberg, PhD
President