Information Regarding Agents Visiting Universities

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GUIDANCE FOR INTERACTING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER AGENTS*
Updated: 2/17/2026

The Universities of Wisconsin will comply with all applicable laws and are committed to cooperating with law enforcement within the constraints of the law and our own delegated responsibilities.

The Universities of Wisconsin are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment that facilitates university operations and our universities’ respective missions, including students’ ability to access education without disruption.

The Universities of Wisconsin strive to create environments that protect privacy and rights of students, faculty, and staff under the law.

The Universities of Wisconsin provides information on the immigration status of its students, faculty, or staff only when required by law.

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to closely monitor federal immigration policies and enforcement that may affect our students, faculty, and staff.

Frequently asked questions

Public Safety



Campus police departments have procedures and practices they follow related to immigration enforcement, and campus police officers will not detain or arrest an individual solely based on a suspected violation of immigration law and will not routinely inquire about an individual’s immigration status.  


No. Campus police departments do not participate in federal immigration enforcement actions. Federal agents must use appropriate legal processes if they are on campus and wish to contact individual students about enforcement-related issues.  


No. An individual’s immigration status does not determine whether campus police departments will provide campus and community safety-related services and will only be relevant if the individual is involved in serious crimes. An individual’s immigration status does not affect their ability to file a police report with campus police departments.   


Universities do not normally issue alerts based simply on the presence of federal, state or local law enforcement on a campus. Universities’ emergency notification systems are defined by federal law and regulations.
These emergency notification systems are designed to provide information about an immediate, actively occurring, and confirmed emergency situation on a campus (or an actively occurring threat that’s heading towards the campus) that requires the community to take immediate action in order to stay safe.
Using such emergency notification systems other than as required by law and in compliance with university policies can subject the universities to federal investigation and significant penalties.
If an incident becomes an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees on a campus, a campus emergency notification would be issued.


A sighting of, or an arrest by, federal law enforcement on campus does not necessitate a call to 911 or a campus police department non-emergency line. The only exception is if one of the below criteria apply: 

  • Your physical safety, or that of someone else, is in immediate jeopardy 
  • There is civil disorder or a likelihood of violence 
  • Destruction of property is occurring 


Federal agents access to campus spaces



Generally, no. Federal agents are generally able to access public spaces. However, access to non-public spaces require a judicial warrant. See below for further information on public and non-public spaces.


  • If federal agents disregard your instructions or requests, do not interfere with their actions.  
  • If federal agents act—with or without awaiting guidance from you or others at the campus and regardless of whether they have presented a judicial warrant—it is important that you do not intervene or block their movement, as obstructing or otherwise interfering with law enforcement activity can be a crime.



If the federal agent approaches a student worker first, the student should immediately get their supervisor. If their supervisor is not available, the student worker should contact a divisional HR representative


Campus police will ask the caller to describe the encounter in detail and review the contents of the judicial warrant or any other legal document that is presented to the employee. Campus police also have 24/7 access to attorneys from the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and will likely involve an OGC attorney in any such review. 

Public versus non-public areas



Federal agents are free to enter any public areas of your workplace but generally must have a valid judicial warrant to enter a non-public area. 



As a public institution, many areas within the campus and its facilities are open to the public. Generally, federal agents are authorized by law to enter public spaces without special permission. Public areas may include sidewalks; green spaces; parking lots and ramps; and lobby, waiting, or hallway areas that are open to the public. Campus libraries and museums that are open to the general public are also generally considered public areas. Campus events, such as lectures, forums and performances that are free and open to the public, or meetings subject to the Wisconsin Open Meetings law are also generally deemed to be public areas. 


Some campus areas, such as faculty, staff and student offices, residence halls, laboratories, and areas accessible only by a key or key card, are not open to the public without permission.  

Classrooms are also non-public areas unless the classroom is hosting an event open to the public. Other non-public areas would include areas only available to employees or individuals with an employee escort, areas holding events that require a ticket for admittance, areas only available to university patients or research participants, privately or university-owned vehicles, and other areas as long as there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in that space. 



Generally, federal agents may not enter non-public areas without permission from individuals authorized to provide permission on behalf of the university unless the federal agent presents a valid judicial warrant or exigent circumstances are present. 


A valid judicial warrant must be signed and dated by a judge. It will include a period within which the search must be conducted, a description of the premises to be searched, and a list of items to be searched for and seized (e.g., payroll records, employee identification documents, etc.). 


Most often, federal agents who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants are not signed by a judge and do not authorize federal agents to enter non-public areas or to obtain documents or electronic data without consent.

Only authorized university officials such as Facilities Planning & Management and/or building managers may affix limited access signage inside campus buildings.  

Temporary signs made locally are not allowed . 

Signs generally cannot be placed on exterior doors of campus facilities.  



The Universities of Wisconsin provide information on the immigration status of its students, faculty, or staff only when required by law. 


If asked by a federal agent to provide private information about a student, faculty or staff member, the employee may say “I am not authorized to provide the requested information,” and contact campus police. 


Resources

Guidelines for Political Activity and Public Advocacy on Campus: 
https://www.wisconsin.edu/government-relations/guidance-on-political-campaign-activities-at-university-of-wisconsin-system-institutions/ 

Policy on Institutional Statements: 
https://www.wisconsin.edu/uw-policies/uw-system-administrative-policies/institutional-statements/ 

 

* UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee staff should consult their local guidance for specific contact information.

April 4, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

FAQs for Student Visa Holders

Check back early next week for new FAQs for student visa holders on the Federal Updates page. The FAQs will cover information relating to visa status and non-citizen rights and travel.

March 28, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

New Financial Aid FAQs

Two new Financial Aid FAQs were added to the Federal Update website – both addressing the impact of executive orders on financial aid.

Advocacy Update

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on issues of importance and concern to our universities ranging from ongoing conversations related to budget reconciliation to potential cuts to research and federal student financial aid. Updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

 

March 21, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Department of Education Executive Order 

The Universities of Wisconsin are aware of the executive order signed on March 20 related to the continuation of the Department of Education. It is our hope that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. The Universities of Wisconsin are working to learn more about the impacts of this action, and as more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, further updates will be shared.

NEW! Resources for International Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Universities of Wisconsin are providing resources for international students, faculty, and staff on the International Students, Faculty, and Staff Resources page. The resources on the site are related to recent federal actions. Visit the Federal Updates website for more information on the federal issues the Universities of Wisconsin and your university are following.

March 14, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Department of Education Reduction in Force

The Universities of Wisconsin are aware of the layoff actions announced March 11 by the Department of Education. It is our hope that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. The Universities of Wisconsin are working to learn more about the impacts of this action, and as more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, further updates will be shared.

Advocacy Update

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on issues of importance and concern to our universities ranging from ongoing conversations related to government funding to potential cuts to research and federal student financial aid. Updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Political Activity Guidance Reminder

As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.

Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.

In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.

For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.

Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.

NEW! FAQs

The Working Group added the first wave of FAQs on the Federal Updates websites (public facing and internal team). The Working Group is reviewing additional FAQs and will post new information (with an updated date) as they are approved.

Memo: Financial Aid Officers and Impact of DOE Layoff on Financial Aid

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Dear Financial Aid Officers,

We are aware of the layoff actions today and the potential for an Executive Order related to the Department of Education. It is our understanding that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. With the spring term starting back in January, most students have already received their financial aid, and disbursements will continue throughout the semester. We are working to learn more about the impacts of these action and the potential Executive Order and when more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, we will update you with additional information through our federal updates page and alerts as necessary.

March 7, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

U.S. Department of Education Releases Frequently Asked Questions on Dear Colleague Letter 

On March 1, the Department of Education released a Frequently Asked Questions Document, which is meant to be considered with the February 14 Dear Colleague Letter. The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review the Frequently Asked Questions Document.

Secretary McMahon Confirmation

On March 3, via a vote of 51-45, the U.S. Senate confirmed Linda McMahon to be the next Secretary of Education. At the time of her confirmation, Secretary McMahon released this statement.

NIH Indirect Cost Rates

Leaders and faculty at the Universities of Wisconsin, UW–Madison, and UW-Milwaukee discussed the impact of federal health research funding on Wisconsin at a news conference in the wake of a federal proposal to limit National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Read the news release.

At the news conference, President Rothman cited the important research at UW–Madison, UW-Milwaukee and across the Universities of Wisconsin and said cutting federal funding “has real implications for families and communities counting on us to find solutions to our most pressing needs.” Chancellor Mnookin emphasized that indiscriminate reductions in research funding “pose significant risk to our state and nation’s future” and harm the ability for universities like UW–Madison to make critical, life-saving discoveries and train students to be leaders. “Let us work together to protect and preserve the vital research work around us that is poised to make critical new discoveries and save lives in Wisconsin and all across the nation,” she said.

You may view a video of the news conference and read the Letter to Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation from businesses and organizations supporting NIH funding.

In the background of this, on March 5, a federal judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that halts the implementation of a 15% indirect cost rate on NIH grants and contracts.

Federal Updates Public Web Page Refreshed

The Universities of Wisconsin (UW) refreshed its Federal Updates web page for the public to learn about the federal issues the UW is monitoring. The site provides a dashboard view of the various issues organized by topic, with a summary and links related to the topic. Please share this across your campus.

 

UW Employees: Be aware of UW’s Political Activity Policy

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As uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.

Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.

In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.

For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.

Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.