Students hurried to social media and tip lines to claim Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were active on the Oregon State University campus grounds Dec. 1.
According to multiple anonymous tips sent to The Daily Barometer, ICE agents were allegedly seen on the north side of the campus. There, it was rumored an international student was detained by federal agents and released later that day. The university and Corvallis Police Department have not confirmed the incident.
In a statement from Rob Odom, vice president of University Relations and Marketing, he said, “The university is aware of immigration enforcement activities that have taken place near the Corvallis campus and in the region.”
When asked to clarify the locations or times of these activities, Odom said that, “The university is aware of news reports of immigration enforcement in Corvallis in September. This incident did not involve an OSU student or employee…Additionally, there have been news reports of immigration enforcement activity throughout neighboring Lane County the week before Thanksgiving.”
If situations like these occur, OSU has several resources for students facing challenges around immigration.
Odom details the process students should try to follow if they engage or encounter federal immigration law enforcement.
Firstly, if students spot immigration law enforcement on campus — even if not directly engaged by them — they should call the Office of General Counsel at: 541-737-8332. The OGC is the authorized point of contact for federal agents on campus.
There, OSU’s attorney will verify the purpose of the agent’s visit, review proper documentation for the visit or information request, and point them in the direction of the proper university representative.
“The university is not authorized to release confidential student or employee information to federal agencies, except as required by law, valid warrant, subpoena or court order,” Odom said.
According to Odom, students and employees should not to accept or interpret legal documents. University employees, students and volunteers — barring OSU’s attorneys within the OGC — are not authorized to accept documents from a federal agent on behalf of the university.
Students, employees and volunteers have the right to ask for information such as name, badge number and any business card from agents. Students, employees and volunteers are also encouraged to pass any information to the OGC.
In his email, Odom includes legal services available on campus for students and employees.
The Associated Students of Oregon State University offers free and confidential legal support for students who already pay the ASOSU fees. ASOSU’s information can be found on their website.
Non-ASOSU-fee-paying students are recommended to visit immigrationbeavs.oregonstate.edu. This website provides several hyperlinks to lawyer referral services as well as other useful information such as crisis lines, links to community organizations, contacts to local consulates and well-being services.
OSU employees can seek legal consultation by visiting hr.oregonstate.edu. There, employees can be directed to free 30-minute consultation calls, help with documentation preparation, an online legal library and 24/7 emergency services.
The Daily Barometer will continue to update and follow the situation as it progresses.
– This report has been updated by Editor in Chief Molly Hoglund.
