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Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety has issued instructions for employees on how to respond if federal law enforcement officers, including from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, enter campus.

The instructions, sent in an email from DPS Chief Craig Stone earlier this month, were in response to concerns from university employees about how to interact with external law enforcement, according to the email.

“The University has an obligation to comply with the law, particularly when a law enforcement agency has a legal subpoena or warrant,” Stone wrote in the email, which a university spokesperson shared with The Daily Orange.

DPS has relationships and partnerships with external law enforcement agencies at all levels, Stone wrote, including federal. DPS has an open line of communication with these agencies, he wrote.

The university spokesperson said the email was specifically shared with campus employees who have “front-facing responsibilities,” such as front desk staff and administrative assistants.

Stone said any staff member who is approached by an officer from outside law enforcement must notify a supervisor before responding to any requests. After a supervisor has been notified by an employee, they should contact Stone or another DPS administrator directly. A DPS member will then arrive at the location to verify outside officers’ credentials and any warrants or subpoenas, Stone wrote.

“DPS is committed to supporting a welcoming environment for all our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Stone wrote.

Many academic institutions across the U.S. are experiencing uncertainty and concern about ICE’s presence on campuses, as President Donald Trump’s administration reversed a former ICE policy to avoid carrying out enforcement actions at “sensitive” areas including schools, churches and hospitals.

Trump has said he plans to detain and deport millions of undocumented immigrants during his second term, The Guardian reported. Between Jan. 22 and 31, ICE arrested more than 8,200 people, averaging roughly 826 arrests per day during that span.

The U.S. Justice Department recently sued multiple New York state officials for state immigration policies that Trump said undermined his agenda.

Published on February 18, 2025 at 11:02 pm

Contact Henry: hdaley@syr.edu