Recent reports of federal immigration enforcement activity in parts of Massachusetts and New England have raised anxieties for many members of our community. The information below outlines Anna Maria College’s commitments and practices as a Catholic institution. We will continue to monitor developments in our region and will communicate with the campus community if there are changes that directly affect our college. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and grounded in our shared values.

If you are an international student that has concerns about life off-campus, please reach out to International Student Affairs at (508) 849-3306.

For an overview of your rights when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, please visit: Know Your Rights.

As a private institution, many of Anna Maria College’s campus spaces, including residence halls, classrooms, administrative and faculty offices, and areas requiring an Anna Maria ID card or College-issued key, are not open to the general public.

• • Federal law enforcement officers generally may not enter these private areas for civil immigration enforcement without a warrant.

• • Public areas of campus that are more accessible to law enforcement include parking lots, fields, sidewalks, the main lobbies of certain buildings, the library, and the chapel (during business hours), spectator areas during games, and any campus event open to the public.

• • We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to carry their Anna Maria College ID with them at all times. If you observe or are approached by someone who identifies as an immigration or other federal officer on campus, you should:

• • • • Remain calm and do not interfere with any law‑enforcement activity.
      • Notify Campus Public Safety.
      • If you are presented with an arrest or search warrant, politely tell the officer that you will contact Campus Public Safety or direct them to the Office of the President in Socquet House.

• • No member of our community (student, faculty, or staff) is required to consent to an officer’s request to enter private or locked campus spaces for civil immigration purposes, and you are not required to answer questions beyond basic identifying information.

• • Basic identifying information generally includes your name and identification if required by law. It does not include immigration status, place of birth, or information about others. No one must provide information about other students/faculty/staff should someone be asked.

• • If you are unsure what to do, you may say, “I am not authorized to give access to this space; I will contact Campus Safety,” and then do so.

• • You also have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or interfere with the actions of law enforcement.

Our Catholic mission calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and to foster a campus environment where all can live, work, and study without distress. Anna Maria College does not voluntarily disclose any student information, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, to governmental agencies unless required by a subpoena or court order. Student educational records are protected by federal privacy law.

If you have questions or concerns, or if you or a family member are directly affected by immigration enforcement actions, we encourage you to reach out to:

• Office of Student Affairs
• International Student Support
• Campus Ministry
• Counseling Services