Rockland Community College is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Changes to federal policy in 2025 have removed previous restrictions on immigration enforcement at college campuses.
Law enforcement investigations may result in local, state, or federal officers including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the FBI – visiting our campuses. If you are approached by law enforcement requesting access to college facilities, inquiring about members of the campus community, or asking for access to student records, please follow these steps:
- Politely inform the officer that all requests must be directed to the RCC Public Safety Department. Request the officer’s name, identification number, and agency affiliation. Then, contact RCC Public Safety at 845-574-4217 and ask for a Duty Supervisor, who will help determine the appropriate next steps.
- You are not authorized to accept service of any subpoena or warrant and do not sign any documents presented by the officer. RCC Public Safety will request any warrants or subpoenas the officers have and work directly with RCC’s legal counsel to evaluate the situation.
FAQs
This FAQ is not legal advice; it is an advisory explaining guiding principles designed to ensure RCC students, faculty, and staff understand their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement officers while protecting the privacy and safety of our campus community. Please contact the Department of Public Safety if you have any more questions or concerns.
Rockland Community College Department of Public Safety
[email protected]
845-574-4238/4217
Access to Campus
- If I work in a public access building (such as the Technology Center), can I prohibit access to law enforcement officers?
- No. RCC cannot prohibit law enforcement officers from coming on campus to enforce federal law. However, you must alert the RCC Public Safety that a law enforcement officer is on campus.
- If I teach in a classroom, am I obligated to allow law enforcement officers to enter my classroom?
- Generally, law enforcement can only require you to allow entry to these spaces with a specific type of warrant. If you are presented with a warrant or other court order by law enforcement, you should follow the instructions above. However, if law enforcement insists on entry before school officials or legal advice can be received, please do not interfere with the law enforcement operations.
Records Requests
- If a law enforcement officer requests personal or personally identifiable information about a student, including class rosters, etc., am I obligated to provide it?
- No. As an RCC employee, per federal privacy laws and RCC policy, you must maintain the confidentiality of personal and personally identifiable information, including student records. RCC generally requires law enforcement officers to produce a valid subpoena authorizing the disclosure of such records.
If you are asked for student personal information by an individual who has identified themself as a law enforcement officer, regardless of whether they present a subpoena, inform the officer that you need to speak with a College administrator and immediately contact the RCC Department of Public Safety for further guidance. RCC Public Safety will address the request with RCC’s legal counsel.
- I am a staff member (e.g., financial aid officer or human resources officer). If a law enforcement officer requests personal and personally identifiable information about a student or employee, am I obligated to provide the requested information?
- Personally identifiable educational and College health records are protected by various privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). As a College employee, you must maintain the confidentiality of these records. If you receive a request for personally identifiable information or documents, or if a law enforcement officer gives you a warrant or subpoena seeking such records, you should ask the officer for their name and agency affiliation; ask for a copy of any warrant or subpoena presented; inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact the RCC Department of Public Safety to assist appropriately.
Support and Resources During Stressful Times
We’re Here for You
We understand that this can be a stressful time, and we want you to know that your well-being is important to us. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, there are resources available to support you. Please reach out to any of the following for assistance:
Counseling Services:
Technology Center, Room 8220
Phone: 845-574-4306
Licensed Counselors:
- Kathy Carroll
- Janice Moore
- Inez Rivera
Michael Albin
Student Union, Room 3208
Phone: 845-574-4302
Susanna Santiago
Academic II, Room 2103
Phone: 845-574-4364
Additional Resources for Students and Employees
If you’re looking for more information about your rights and how to handle situations involving immigration, the following resources may be helpful:
Center for Safety and Change
9 Johnsons Ln, New City, NY 10956
(845) 634-3391
Legal Aid Rockland: Ask for Jackie Sands
2 Congers Rd, New City, NY 10956
(845) 634-3627
Proyecto Faro
(845) 608-3225