Barnard College Barnard College
College Policies & Procedures

Protocol for Potential Visits to Campus by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents

This protocol has been posted to inform and assist Barnard faculty and staff; it is consistent with past practice.

As a reminder, Barnard College is private property, and access to the campus is restricted. Please don’t hold doors open for people you don’t know.

In general, ICE agents must have a judicial warrant or other judicial order to access Barnard’s campus or property, including residential halls. Currently, there are no areas on Barnard property that are open to the public and therefore no areas where ICE or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents are permitted without a judicial warrant or order.

  • Ask for credentials. In a professional and courteous manner, ask for: i) the agents’ credentials (full name, agency/organization, badge number, etc.); ii) a business card; and iii) any legal documents (warrant, subpoena, etc.).
  • Ask them to wait. Ask the agents to wait to enter any non-public areas until you receive a response from the College; tell the officer you will contact the appropriate person immediately; contact CARES at the numbers below. CARES will contact the Office of the General Counsel and will help coordinate the College’s response.
    • It is preferable for faculty/staff to first call CARES directly. If this is not possible based on the circumstances, faculty/staff may connect an ICE agent directly to CARES. 
  • Do not accept service of a court order or subpoena. 
    • Only the Office of the General Counsel can accept service of a subpoena or court order and review it to determine next steps. 
    • In response to questions or the attempted service of a warrant or subpoena, please say: “I am not authorized by the College to grant permission to enter non-public areas, provide information about individual students or employees, or accept service of documentation on behalf of the College. I am not obstructing your duties, but I need guidance from the College before permitting your entry, providing information, or accepting service.” Then, refer the agents to CARES and the Office of the General Counsel.

  • Ask for BC/CU ID. In a professional and courteous manner, ask for a Barnard or Columbia University ID. If not available, direct to the guest access tent outside the main gates and alert a CARES supervisor.
  • Ask for identifying credentials. In a professional and courteous manner, ask for a i) the agents’ credentials (full name, agency/organization, badge number, etc.); ii) a business card; and iii) any legal documents (warrant, subpoena, etc.).
  • Ask them to wait. Ask the agents to wait to enter any non-public areas until a supervisor arrives. A supervisor will contact the Office of the General Counsel and will help coordinate the College’s response.  
  • Do not accept service of a court order or subpoena. 
    • Only the Office of the General Counsel can accept service of a subpoena or court order and review it to determine next steps. 
  • In response to questions or the attempted service of a warrant or subpoena, please say: “I am not authorized by the College to grant permission to enter non-public areas, provide information about individual students or employees, or accept service of documentation on behalf of the College. I am not obstructing your duties, but I need guidance from the College before permitting your entry, providing information, or accepting service.” Then, refer the agents to CARES and the Office of the General Counsel. 

Immediately contact CARES at 212-854-6666.

Students may not authorize ICE agents to enter campus or other Barnard property. Students may refuse access to ICE agents to enter the student’s housing, unless the ICE agent has a judicial warrant to enter or search that clearly defines the premises to be searched or entered. If students receive an access request or observe ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on campus, they may contact CARES at 212-854-6666.

An ICE agent has a right to be present on public streets, just as any other member of the public does, but they do not have a right to enter private property, absent consent or a judicial warrant.  Students may not authorize ICE agents to enter campus or other Barnard property.  Students may refuse access to ICE agents to enter the student’s housing, unless the ICE agent has a judicial warrant to enter or search that clearly defines the premises to be searched or entered. If students see ICE agents near Barnard property, they should contact CARES at 212-854-6666.