What to do if ICE agents visit campus

To notify Campus Safety of ICE activity, call 610-499-4200.

Based on ICE action on other campuses and at the request of our community, we are providing the following resources:

There have been no confirmed reports of ICE agents on Widener's campuses.

Updated April 16, 2026

How to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visit our campus. 

As a private institution, Widener University generally requires that ICE agents present a judicial warrant signed by a judge before accessing non‑public areas of campus or requesting certain protected records. It is important that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities in such situations to ensure compliance with both university policy and applicable laws.

Key Guidelines:

  • Do not interfere with law enforcement activity.
  • Immediately contact Campus Safety at 610-499-4200. 
    Request to speak with the Executive Director of Campus Safety or their designee. If questioned, inform the agent that you are consulting with the appropriate university personnel who can address their questions and reassure them that you are not obstructing their process.
  • Do not answer questions or provide documents.
    Refer all requests to the Executive Director of Campus Safety or the appropriate university official.
  • Comply with FERPA and HIPAA regulations. 
    Ensure that all interactions comply with federal regulations including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect the privacy of our students, faculty, and staff.

We are committed to our mission: Empowering our community of learners to create and discover better futures. In practice, this means ensuring our entire community has the ability to teach, learn, and research in an environment that is safe and respectful. 

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that our campus remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone. 

FAQs

"ICE" refers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency enforces immigration laws and conducts investigations into undocumented immigration.

Learn more at ice.gov/about-ice

Immediately contact Campus Safety at 610‑499‑4200 and request to speak with the Executive Director of Campus Safety or their designee. For more details, follow the key guidelines above.

When appropriate and when information is confirmed, the university will make a good faith effort to notify the campus community of ICE activity through established communication channels.

If you notice ICE on campus and have not received an alert, immediately contact Campus Safety at 610‑499‑4200 and request to speak with the Executive Director of Campus Safety or their designee.

As a private institution, Widener University generally requires that ICE agents present a judicial warrant signed by a judge before accessing non‑public areas of campus or requesting certain protected records.

ICE agents may enter public areas of campus without a warrant. Public areas include sidewalks, open buildings, publicly accessible event spaces, and other areas open to general visitors. Access to non‑public areas, such as residence halls, private offices, classrooms not open to the public, and administrative spaces, generally requires a judicial warrant.

Students: 

Call International Student Services for assistance understanding your legal status by emailing iss@widener.edu or calling 610-499-4498.

Faculty & Staff:

The university provides 24/7 confidential support and legal service consultations to employees through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Lincoln Financial administered by ComPsych. Call 888-628-4824 or learn more about the benefit on the HR Sharepoint Benefits site. 

Additional Resources

The following resources provide additional guidance for students, families, and campus communities seeking more information about immigration enforcement and student rights.

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