The University of Rhode Island Police Department will not arrest individuals solely on the basis of immigration law violations and will not inquire about the immigration status of community members, according to URI Chief of Police Michael Jagoda.
“Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” one of President Donald Trump’s several executive orders signed on Jan. 20, delineates new enforcement guidelines for the United States Department of Homeland Security. Now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Protection can arrest individuals in previously protected areas such as schools.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson said in a Jan. 21 statement. “The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
Responding to recent executive orders, URI released a statement on Jan. 28 that affirmed its commitment to campus safety and urged community members to contact URI Public Safety if they witness federal enforcement on campus.
“Importantly, in our work with anyone seeking assistance, including crime victims and witnesses, [URI Public Safety] will not ask about that person’s immigration status,” Jagoda said in an email to The Good Five Cent Cigar on Tuesday.
When non-URI law enforcement officers request information about community members, or if outside individuals want access to campus facilities, university police check for legitimacy and intent, according to Jagoda.
The URI Global Initiatives Office plans to release a website late this week that will outline how community members can respond to “visits or inquiries” by non-URI enforcement officers, according to a statement from Dawn Bergantino, assistant director of communications, to the Cigar. The “URI in the World” section of the university website will house this “federal update actions” weblink.
For immediate assistance, call the Global Initiatives Office 24-hour phone line at 401-874-4100. On campus, call 911 for emergencies or dial 401-874-4910 for non-emergencies.