Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
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Because your safety and well-being are always our highest priority, we want to ensure you have access to timely and relevant information that may affect you. For those of you considering international travel or travel near international borders for academic programs, research, conferences, family visits, or just for fun, please bear in mind the following details. Whether your plans are immediate or later, it is important to be mindful of changes in visa processing, reentry requirements, and country-specific restrictions which can be activated quickly and without warning for travelers.
Please note that this message is provided for informational and planning purposes only. It does not, and is not intended to, provide legal advice. Community members needing legal advice or support are encouraged to speak with attorneys experienced in immigration and related areas of law.
At this time, we recommend increased caution in three key areas:
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- At Ports of Entry: These include airports, land borders, and immigration checkpoints, where you may encounter heightened scrutiny or questioning. Always ensure you have appropriate, up-to-date documentation with you to present to Customs and Border Control (CBP). Students, faculty, and staff who are not from the United States or have special circumstances should carefully consider if they want to continue with their travel plans, postpone, or delay until additional guidance and clarity are available.
- If you encounter a travel interruption or delay, such as a border stoppage, while traveling for academic programs or college business, you may call Campus Safety at +1 719-389-6911 to notify your emergency contact and your campus sponsor.
- Students with F-1 and J-1 visas: International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) can advise on reentry risks, appropriate documentation, and resources should you encounter a travel interruption or delay.
- If you have health conditions that require access to medications, make sure to tell CBP officers. CBP must also provide you with access to food and water when necessary and allow bathroom access accompanied by a CBP escort.
- You have the right to remain silent. However, if you refuse to answer the officer’s questions, you may be denied admission to the U.S. If you choose to answer the CBP officer’s questions, it is essential that you tell the truth.
- If you have been held for two hours or more and denied a phone call, you should request again a call to an attorney or trusted contact.
- This resource from the ACLU outlines your basic constitutional rights when entering the U.S. from abroad
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- Electronic Devices and Online Presence: The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing online presence and may search electronic devices, social media profiles, and cloud-based data storage that may be linked to those devices, as part of their activity at ports of entry or when considering visas. This guidance from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can help you protect your data before and during travel.
- In Public Spaces: All non-U.S. citizens are required to have proof of their lawful presence in the U.S. in their possession at all times. CC has also outlined steps to take if you encounter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials or other external agencies on campus. Resources for obtaining legal services, including a guide to finding an immigration attorney and a list of local attorneys, can be found on the Belonging@CC Microsoft Team.
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This guidance is most important for individuals who are undocumented or minimally documented; are legal permanent residents; are international citizens; or have other special circumstances. Each person’s situation is unique, and everyone has different risk factors and tolerances.
For additional support, please consult the following resources:
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- Students: The Dean of Students’ Office. Many situations are best addressed by ISSS, but when in doubt, the Dean of Students’ Office can direct you to the appropriate support.
- Faculty: Dean of the Faculty Emily Chan. You can also refer to the email and related “Memo on Travel, Immigration, and Border Matters” that Dean Chan sent to the faculty listserv on Thursday, April 3.
- Staff: Human Resources or your employee EAP, which offers broad guidance and support on immigration matters.
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In addition, the Jan. 22 “Protecting Your Privacy and Information” email sent from Institutional Equity and Belonging includes information about how the college protects confidential student and employee information.
We will continue sharing updates and additional clarity as they become available. Individual offices will also reach out to impacted groups with more specific guidance as circumstances evolve.
However this information may impact you, please know you are not alone — you belong here, and we are prepared to support you.
Sincerely,
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COO & Dean of the College
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View this email online.
14 E. Cache La Poudre St. | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Colorado College community. Thank you for the important work you do each day.
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