Regarding the Potential for Federal Immigration Enforcement at UMBC Sharing general guidance and procedures
Dear UMBC Community, 
 
As general counsel for UMBC, I write today to share guidance in response to questions and concerns we have heard from community members regarding the possibility of federal immigration enforcement action occurring on our campus. First, I want to make clear that at this time, we are not aware of any requests or actions related to UMBC from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other external law enforcement agencies. What follows here is general guidance and recommended procedures for such situations. 
 
As a public institution, UMBC’s campus is largely open to the public, but many spaces are restricted for reasons of privacy, safety, and operational needs—including residence halls, classrooms, laboratories, and administrative and faculty offices. To access such non-public areas, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant or subpoena. Additionally, federal privacy laws generally prohibit the release of information from a student’s records, including to law enforcement, without a valid court order or subpoena.
 
If you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, notify UMBC Police (410-455-5555), who will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. More specifically, we advise that you: 
 
  1. Call UMBC Police, as noted above.
  2. Inform the government/law enforcement agent that you are not authorized to provide access and that they should coordinate with UMBC Police.
  3. Invite them to wait in a public area while you contact UMBC Police.
  4. Do not accept a subpoena or warrant on behalf of the university yourself.
  5. Do not physically block or interfere with enforcement action. 
  6. Document the interaction. You have the right to document the situation, including: 
    • Date and time
    • Officer name and identification number
    • Agency affiliation
    • Details of the interaction
 
If you have further questions, please reach out to ogc@umbc.edu. For additional information regarding immigration policy changes that may impact international students, scholars, and employees, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars policy updates page. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Paul A. Meggett, Vice President and General Counsel

]]> Dear UMBC Community,    As general counsel for UMBC, I write today to share guidance in response to questions and concerns we have heard from community members regarding the possibility of... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147077/guest@my.umbc.edu/68be8cf1f7fbd3a4023544640a393471/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Campus https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 29 0 false Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:53:09 -0500 Starting the Spring Semester

Dear UMBC Community,

The first day of classes is always an exciting day, and today is no exception. I am optimistic for what is to come and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new semester with all of you. 

To be sure, we start this semester in a challenging and complicated context. I know that many of us are particularly concerned about the potential effects on higher education of various executive orders and related actions of the new administration in Washington. I want to acknowledge your very real concerns about the potential for direct impacts on individuals, as well as on the education we provide and the research we pursue. 

We are monitoring the developments out of Washington closely. I have assembled a core team of relevant leaders that will meet weekly to understand the changes and how they may affect UMBC. The team will draw on the expertise of the members of the UMBC community to analyze the implications for UMBC and to develop recommendations for how we proceed. As we do, we will keep you apprised.

I want to offer a reminder of ongoing support for all members of our community, including this short list of relevant resources:

In this moment, as in any, we will continue to lead with our mission and vision and remain grounded in our shared values. We will not retreat from our mission as a research university that advances the public good nor from our commitment to creating a campus environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. 

UMBC’s vision statement remains our north star, and I think it bears repeating today: 

Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.

I am even more inspired by that vision today than I was the first time I heard it, and I am more committed than ever to working with you to achieve it. My best wishes to all of you as we begin the spring semester together. 


Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

 


 ]]> Dear UMBC Community, The first day of classes is always an exciting day, and today is no exception. I am optimistic for what is to come and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new semester... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/146748/guest@my.umbc.edu/58140bc57ec27db4bc8551556d11bcc4/api/pixel federal-orders president Announcements - Campus https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 7 0 false Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:35:37 -0500 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:44:17 -0500