Immigration Enforcement
House Bill 1312
HB 1312, enacted in 2025, is a new Illinois law that provides protections for students, employees, and visitors during civil immigration enforcement. This briefing outlines steps for SVCC faculty and staff to follow if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents come to campus. This information and resource is not legal advice, but rather guiding principles to ensure legal compliance while protecting the rights and privacy of students, staff and faculty.
For additional resources, please check out illinoisimmigrationinfo.org.
SVCC Campus Security offers a number of additional services. To request a service, contact the Information Center (M-F, 8 AM - 9:30 PM) at (815) 288 - 5511 or call the Security Cell Phone (Nights and Weekends) at (815) 441 - 2040.
Immigration Access to Public versus Limited Access Areas on Campus
As a public community college, Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) welcomes the public to a significant portion of its campus. However, access is restricted or limited in areas due to privacy concerns, operational needs or safety considerations. Federal immigration enforcement officers are subject to these same access restrictions and must adhere to SVCC protocols when entering non-public spaces.
It is important to note that ICE or federal Department of Homeland Security officials may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions such as career recruitment events and guest lectures.
Access Categories
Description
Examples
Public Access
Areas open to the general public where entry is not restricted or limited. These spaces are freely accessible and may include outdoor and common-use areas.
The Learning Commons, Dillon Mall, Athletic Center, Sauk Cafe and other common areas, walkways, hallways in the academic buildings, dining areas open to the public, unrestricted access buildings and parking lots.
Restricted Access
Areas that require a key, locked doors, or monitored entryways for access are protected to maintain safety and privacy.
Locked classrooms, administrative offices and restricted academic laboratories.
Limited Access
Spaces are generally left unlocked during work hours but are not considered public due to their function. Access to these areas may require special permission or operational needs.
Faculty offices, classrooms in session, locker rooms, kitchens / food preparation areas, maintenance areas, storage rooms and other operational facilities.
SVCC Campus Protocol - ICE Visits
With the Police Academy on campus, it is much more commonplace to have non-local law enforcement on campus. As a result, general questions may arise, but in the event that any non-local law enforcement or federal officers begin to inquire about SVCC students, faculty, staff, visiting scholars or guests, members of our campus community are asked to do the following:
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Remain Calm and Professional
Stay composed to avoid escalating the situation.
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Contact the SVCC School Resource Officer
- Contact the SVCC School Resource Officer and the SVCC Security Desk at (815) 835-6340 - to notify them that ICE is on campus.
- The SVCC School Resource Officer will be dispatched to the location to address the situation and identify the appropriate personnel to involve.
- Do not accept any materials from the ICE agent(s) and direct them to work directly with the SVCC School Resource Officer.
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Forward Email or Phone Inquiries
If you are contacted by an external party that is outside of your regular activities or interactions, via email or phone, requesting information about students, faculty or staff, please immediately forward that information to security@svcc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Immigration Customs Enforcement Roles/Responsibilities for SVCC Faculty and Staff
This FAQ is not legal advice, but guiding principles designed to ensure SVCC faculty and staff understand their rights and responsibilities when interacting with immigration enforcement officers while protecting the privacy and safety of our campus community.
HB 1312 is a new Illinois law that strengthens protections for individuals during civil immigration enforcement. It limits immigration actions on sensitive locations—such as colleges—and protects personal information related to immigration status.
Colleges are considered sensitive locations. HB 1312 ensures students, employees, and visitors can access campus, services, and events without fear of civil immigration enforcement.
Under HB 1312, immigration officers cannot conduct civil immigration enforcement on campus without a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants are not sufficient.
No. HB 1312 prohibits colleges from disclosing a person’s actual or perceived immigration status unless required by law. Privacy and confidentiality must be maintained.
Yes. HB 1312 protects anyone on campus—students, faculty, staff, visitors, and families—regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Yes. The law is designed to ensure people can access education and services without fear of arrest or intimidation related to immigration.
Yes. Per, HB 1312, Colleges must have clear procedures for handling civil immigration enforcement and ensure staff understand how to respond appropriately.