Officials: Clark County colleges follow laws concerning ICE

No sightings of immigration agents have been reported at Clark County postsecondary schools, but protocols are in place just in case.

Washington State University Vancouver Interim Chancellor Sandra Haynes sent a message to students and staff Monday reaffirming the school’s immigration enforcement protocol, which is similar to Clark College’s.

“In light of renewed public attention to immigration enforcement activities in our region, we want to take a moment to reaffirm WSU Vancouver’s protocol for engaging with immigration authorities,” Haynes said. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone in our community understands the laws and procedures that guide our actions should immigration officials visit campus.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are not allowed in nonpublic campus spaces, including classrooms, labs and offices, unless a valid judicial warrant or subpoena is presented. If ICE agents are on campus, Haynes said to direct them to the Chancellor’s Office, and a representative will consult with the university’s Division of the Office of the Attorney General “to determine what, if any, level of compliance is required.”

“That’s part of protecting students, ensuring that any kind of agency, including ICE, is adhering to the scope of their work and the law and that all documents are legal and reviewed,” WSU Vancouver Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Domanic Vanthom said.

If an immigration officer approaches outside of business hours, Haynes said people can contact WSU Public Safety at 509-332-2521.

In January, Clark adopted a policy on immigration rights, which explains that anyone participating in immigration enforcement is not permitted on campus or in the immediate vicinity. The college adheres to state and federal laws, and prohibits aiding immigration enforcement, including surveillance, against students, families, staff and volunteers.

Those attempting to engage in enforcement activity should be directed to the director of safety and security to verify their credentials, request a copy of the judicial warrant and any information regarding their visit, according to Clark’s policy. The request will then be forwarded to the vice president of operations for legal counsel to review.

Clark and WSU Vancouver would rely on legal counsel to verify and determine if a judicial warrant presented by an ICE agent allows access and compliance, according to Haynes’ message and Clark’s policy.

However, The VanCougar Newsmagazine, a WSU Vancouver student organization, wrote two Oct. 22 articles comparing Clark’s intervention to WSUV’s nonintervention for immigration enforcement. Both agencies refer students and staff to a school department, which then requests legal counsel, before any action is taken.

“Both schools, to my knowledge, are following all of the state laws in a similar fashion,” Vanthom said.

Vanthom and Clark spokeswoman Maureen Chan-Hefflin confirmed that ICE sightings on campus have not occurred.

Clark’s website explains students’ rights and lists legal, campus, local, state and national resources. WSU also has a webpage with frequently asked questions and answers, as well as steps to take if contacted by ICE. WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell’s April 15 message also outlines resources.

“If there are things that they need that we can help and support them in getting, we do this on an individual basis, as it relates to all kinds of support, from food stamps to child care to everything else,” Vanthom said. “We are a state entity (with) state employees, and we are subject to the laws of the state and federal government, and we will adhere to them. That doesn’t mean that we don’t care and support students.”