Seattle Colleges conducted training sessions during its January Social Justice Week instructing faculty and staff on how to respond to federal immigration enforcement on campus. The guidance focused on limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while emphasizing internal nondiscrimination and immigration policies. The sessions were held as immigration enforcement remains a major national issue.
Seattle Colleges is a public community college district overseeing Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, and South Seattle College. One session, titled “How We Respond to ICE Officials on Our Campus,” outlined procedures employees should follow if approached by immigration agents. The training referenced the district’s Immigration Rights and Non-Discrimination Plan, known as the IRND Plan.
According to session materials, staff were instructed not to voluntarily cooperate with immigration enforcement unless legally required. Employees were told to refer ICE officials to designated administrators and avoid sharing information about students or staff without proper legal documentation. The guidance also stated that immigration agents should not be allowed into non-public campus areas without a judicial warrant.
Seattle Colleges officials described the session as informational and consistent with existing policy. The IRND Plan states that immigration status should not interfere with access to education or employment within the district. Administrators framed the training as ensuring employees understand legal boundaries and institutional expectations.
The session was one of many events during Social Justice Week, which included programming on equity, identity, and inclusion. The ICE-related training was listed alongside other workshops and discussions rather than announced as a policy change.
Critics argue the guidance discourages cooperation with lawful federal enforcement and reflects ideological priorities within higher education. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates under the Department of Homeland Security and is tasked with enforcing immigration law nationwide.
Seattle Colleges has indicated it will continue to follow its IRND Plan. The issue highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and policies adopted by public institutions in progressive states.
