ICE agents returned to Lawrence Friday morning and detained people on KU’s campus and elsewhere, according to local immigration advocates.
Photos and videos appeared to show agents near the Ambler Student Recreation Center on the University of Kansas campus, which is near 19th Street and Naismith Drive, and in the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods at 27th and Iowa streets.
Sanctuary Alliance, a Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights, posted to social media that community allies had verified the reports and that a person was arrested at both sites.
Agents were spotted in a black SUV and a truck, according to the post. Another photo from the scene appears to show an agent in a minivan.
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“We are working with the family of the detained individual and have been able to provide immediate support,” Sanctuary Alliance wrote in posts about both detainees.
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Five people were arrested at various sites throughout Lawrence on Tuesday, Feb. 17, a volunteer with Sanctuary Alliance confirmed. Spokespeople for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement did not respond to questions last week about those arrests.
Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, a spokesperson for KU, said the university was aware of reports that federal immigration officers may have been present in Lawrence campus parking areas Friday.
“KU Public Safety has been notified and is working to gather additional information,” she said via email. “At this time, we do not have confirmed details about the nature of the activity or whether it involved any KU students or employees. We understand these reports are unsettling, and our priority is the well‑being of our campus community.”
If you see ICE agents
Sanctuary Alliance encourages people to document and record interactions, but not to interfere, and to back up if you’re told to do so.
The Sanctuary Alliance volunteer said last week the best thing community members could do is to continue to report possible ICE sightings through their hotline, as opposed to sending messages on social media or emails. The hotline is the best way to get ahold of volunteers in an urgent situation.
You can reach the Sanctuary Alliance hotline at 785-289-5143.
Somos Lawrence, a grassroots organization supporting non-English speakers, also operates a hotline that people can reach at 785-813-1098.
Sanctuary Alliance regularly posts information and updates about sightings on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
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If you see ICE at KU
KU’s Office of the General Counsel recently sent out guidance in its newsletter, stating that KU’s campuses are largely open to the public, and government agents may enter public areas without warrants.
“However, their access is limited in areas where KU has restricted access to the public through university-issued ID card, locked doors or monitored entryways, including the university residence halls, as well as areas KU considers private due to concerns for privacy, safety and operational needs,” according to the newsletter. “These areas may include administrative or faculty offices, classrooms, clinics and laboratories.”
People who encounter agents on campus and have concerns should contact the nonemergency number for KU police or security, the newsletter stated. That phone number is 785-864-5900 for the Lawrence campus.
The office also said if people are safe to do so, they should document the time, date and details of the interaction, and to record if cameras and recording devices are not prohibited by other university policies or the facility where they’re located.
The newsletter said people should not accept service of any subpoena or warrant before contacting the office of the general counsel (at 785-864-3276 for the Lawrence and Edwards campuses).
International Student Services message to students
International Student Services sent out a message to students, which included the same information Barcomb-Peterson shared.
“We understand from talking with our students that seeing or hearing about immigration agents in our community may cause stress, fear or worry,” the message to students stated. “Those reactions are completely understandable, and it is normal to feel uneasy given the current situation. Please know that KU remains committed to an environment where all students are treated with dignity and respect and can pursue their education without discrimination or harassment, regardless of immigration status.”
The email encourages students to carry necessary documents to verify their “lawful presence,” and says students can notify the KU Police Department at 785-464-5900 if they see agents on campus.
“If you notice government law enforcement agents on campus, remain calm and respectful. Do not interfere,” it states. “While you have the right to document and report the incident, for your own safety do not physically obstruct or interfere with the actions of government agents.”
“… You are valued in our community,” the message continued. “Our immediate focus is to verify facts and support you and the rest of our campus community. If we confirm information that materially affects the safety or rights of KU students or employees, we will share an update with you.”
Know your rights
Immigration cases are civil matters, not criminal cases.
The National Immigrant Justice Center offers recommendations for encountering ICE and has sample administrative and judicial warrants to review on its website. For more information, read this article.
The Fourth Amendment allows people to refuse a search without a judicial warrant. The NIJC recommends not opening the door if an officer knocks, and teaching that to children.
“Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home,” per this NIJC fact sheet. “ICE ‘warrants’ are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers and they do not grant authority to enter a home without consent of the occupant(s).”
Everyone, undocumented or not, has the right to remain silent and the right to due process of law under the Fifth Amendment.
Appleseed, a national organization, has a free deportation preparation manual at deportationpreparation.org.
Pet owners who fear deportation or detainment can read about their options in this article.
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Know your rights
If you’re stopped by police:
• Rather than be confrontational during an interaction with police, it’s better to exercise your right to remain silent.
• If an officer asks you for identifying information, confirm that you are being required to provide that information.
• You do not have to consent to a search. Clarify whether you are able to refuse a search. If an officer believes your car contains evidence, your car can be searched without your consent.
More: ACLU of Kansas — Know Your Rights when Stopped by Police in Kansas
If you’re confronted by ICE:
• Stay calm. If you have lawful immigration status, show your documentation. If you’re undocumented, don’t provide false documents, and don’t discuss your immigration status with police, ICE or other officials.
• If an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official comes to your door, don’t open your door. Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” do not grant authority to enter a home without consent of the occupant.
More: National Immigrant Justice Center — Know Your Rights: What to do if You or a Loved One is Detained; If You Encounter ICE
If someone you know is arrested in Douglas County:
• You can check the jail’s booking log at this link to confirm and see if a bond amount has been set.
• If bond is set in the case, you can pay it online via this link.
• The Douglas County Community Bail Fund might be able to help with limited assistance for misdemeanor bails. Call 785-764-3684 or email DGCOBailFund@gmail.com.
Related coverage:
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