worksite visits from federal immigration officials
If you are contacted by a federal immigration official, please call the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety at 517-355-2221.
This guidance serves to inform employees about what action to take should federal immigration officials visit the work site locations (e.g., classroom/department/office/unit) of foreign national employees at the University.
This guidance is not designed to address potential incidents in which federal officials may make contact with individuals in public spaces on campus that are not designated work sites, and unrelated to their employment. For more information about those concerns, please visit the Immigration Support and Safety Resources web page, Frequently Asked Questions .
Key Summary for Worksite Visits
- There are various reasons federal immigration officials may visit the university, which can be routine or related to enforcement actions.
- If a federal immigration official contacts you, please call the Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) for assistance at 517-355-2221.
- Remain calm and do not take any action to challenge or obstruct federal immigration officials.
- Review in full this guidance and designate departmental contacts (should not be a student employee) to assist with onsite visits.
Why Federal Immigration Officials May Come to Campus
Federal immigration officials, including those from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), may visit the University for a variety of reasons, which can be routine or related to enforcement actions.
Primary reasons for these visits may include:
As part of administering F-1 and J-1 student and scholar visa programs, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requires the University to maintain and present specific immigration records upon request. SEVP field representatives visit universities occasionally to meet with staff and conduct compliance reviews.
The Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate within USCIS conducts unannounced site visits to employers, including universities, who sponsor employees for H-1B visas to verify employment details and compliance with federal regulations. Refusal to comply may result in the denial or revocation of the H-1B petition.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may conduct site visits to employers of employees authorized for STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). The purpose of these visits is to verify that the employer is complying with the terms of the employee’s Form I-983 Training Plan.
Federal officials may conduct unannounced visits to inspect Form I-9 employment verification records for all employees to ensure the University is complying with federal employment laws.
In some cases, federal immigration officials may appear in search of or to arrest a specific individual.
Officers may appear to serve a search or arrest warrant as part of an investigation or enforcement action.
Federal officials may arrive in emergency circumstances where there is a risk of serious harm.
Be Prepared
In preparation for possible work site visits, departments are advised to:
- Review this guidance with all employees, particularly those working at front-desk locations;
- Designate employees who are authorized to respond to immigration officials (units should designate more than one employee);
- Identify the following contacts for the unit:
- Supervisor/Designated authorized employee: __________________
- HR Unit Representative: __________________
- HR Compliance: __________________
- Inform all student employees, including graduate assistants, that they are not authorized to assist immigration officials and provide clear guidance on how to contact the designated employee(s) on site who is authorized to assist officials;
- Have this guidance readily available as a reference in the event of a visit;
- Review this guidance on a regular basis with employees and include it in new employee onboarding.
If federal immigration officials visit your office, you are advised to follow the steps below. The protocol includes some suggested scripted responses to help guide the conversation.
If Immigration Officials Make Contact for a Worksite Visit (4 Rs)
Acknowledge the immigration official(s) and do not challenge or obstruct their movement. If you are not the designated contact for the unit, then contact the appropriate individual.
Politely ask to see official credentials (badge or ID) and the purpose of the visit.
If you are not a designated authorized employee, inform the immigration official(s) that you are not authorized to assist immigration officials and will contact your supervisors and DPPS who are authorized to assist.
Designated authorized employees should contact the following offices in the order below:
- MSU DPPS: (517) 355-2221 (first point of contact – DPPS will validate the credentials of federal immigration officials and confirm the validity of the warrant)
- Office of the General Counsel: (517) 353-3530 (if federal officials present a subpoena or warrant)
- MSU Human Resources: (517) 353-4434 (ask for a Compliance Team member)
- Office for International Students and Scholars: (517) 353-1720 (if visit is related to an international student, employee or visiting scholar)
For MSU Worksite Locations not on MSU Main Campus:
- Use the same contact information as above. Please also contact local law enforcement if you need on-site law enforcement response.
- Record the date, time, and details of the visit.
- Provide the documentation to MSU DPPS and OGC.
Questions
Please contact HR.I9Admin@hr.msu.edu or call 517-353-4434 with questions.
