Governors State University held an in-person and virtual town hall on Nov. 11 to address “Supporting Non-Citizen and International Community,” but numerous attendees expressed continued uncertainty about procedures afterward.
The meeting, hosted in Sherman Hall and streamed through Zoom, brought together students, faculty, and administrators including President Joyce Ester, members of her cabinet, International Services, Student Affairs, and Public Safety.
Ester opened the forum by acknowledging the anxiety many students have felt following reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity near campus. She said the purpose of the meeting was to “talk openly about campus safety and clarify what procedures are in place if any outside law enforcement agency, including ICE, were to come onto our campus.”
Speakers from International Services, the Latinx Resource Center, and the Department of Public Safety emphasized GSU’s commitment to ensuring all students—regardless of citizenship or immigration status—feel supported. Despite reassurances, the meeting exposed gaps in communication and left several important questions unanswered.
During the Q&A portion, attendees repeatedly asked what undocumented students should do if ICE comes to campus—especially if they cannot safely call Public Safety. Administrators explained the official procedure: call Public Safety immediately, or have another student do it if possible. However, this answer did not clarify what undocumented students should do if they are the ones being approached or detained besides call the police.
When asked if the university would represent or assist a student already detained by ICE on campus, administrators said the GSU Legal Clinic is open to all students, but they did not confirm whether the university itself would provide legal representation or advocacy in those cases.
Audience members also questioned whether students would be notified if ICE were confirmed to be on campus. Officials stated that a campus-wide alert would be sent only if there was an “imminent threat to health or safety” under the Clery Act, meaning that ICE’s presence alone would not trigger an alert.
This answer raised concern among students and faculty who argued that undocumented and DACA students might avoid campus entirely without better communication or reassurance. Some faculty shared that students already have missed classes out of fear of being detained near Prairie Place or in parking lots.
One attendee said, “Students need more than information. They need care and community. Right now, that’s missing in some areas of campus.”
Ester agreed that more needs to be done, instructing staff to compile the issues raised and revisit them in two weeks with possible next steps.
Although university leaders reaffirmed that GSU does not cooperate with ICE in civil immigration enforcement—following Illinois state law—students left the meeting unsure what would happen if ICE detained someone on campus or ignored protocol.
The event closed with promises of follow-up communication and future meetings. But, the lack of clear, direct answers about immediate safety procedures and legal protections left many attendees uncertain about what safeguards exist beyond the university’s verbal commitments.
Among the places where students can get more information and assistance are:
International Services: This office offers help with visa questions, federal documentation, and
guidance for any student who receives communication from an immigration agency. They also
provide legal referrals and confidential support for students who feel uncertain about their
immigration or visa status.
Latinx Resource Center: Directed by Emmanuel Lopez, the center coordinates with Student
Affairs, the Counseling Center, and Public Safety to give students emotional, legal, and
academic support. Lopez emphasized that undocumented and DACA students can come to
the center for connection to counseling services or the GSU Legal Clinic. He also announced
ongoing expansion of the “Know Your Rights” initiative, which teaches students how to
respond safely if approached by law enforcement.
GSU Legal Clinic: Administrators confirmed this clinic is open to all students and community
members, offering assistance in cases involving immigration-related issues. They noted that
past students had received help there with positive results.
Counseling Center: Mentioned at the end of the meeting, the Counseling Center provides
crisis and emotional support for students experiencing fear or anxiety related to immigration
concerns or ICE activity.