A UChicago international student was “briefly detained” by federal agents on October 15 at East 55th Street and South University Avenue, according to an email from the University’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) sent to other international students at the University. Per the email, the student was carrying their immigration documents in line with University recommendations and was released after providing them to the agents.
At the time of publication, ICE had not responded to the Maroon’s request for comment to confirm whether it was the agency responsible for the stop.
This is the first documented instance of an individual affiliated with the University being detained by immigration authorities on or around campus. A crowdsourced map produced by the *Chicago Sun-Times* shows one verified previous sighting of an ICE agent in Hyde Park on September 12. Individuals on the anonymous social media platform Sidechat have also communicated ICE sightings around Hyde Park in recent days, but these could not be independently verified.
The OIA advises students in the U.S. on J-1 or F-1 visas “carry a copy of their most recent I-94 arrival record and copy of their passport bio page as proof of legal status in the U.S.” They also advise that, in the event of an immigration stop, students should indicate their willingness to cooperate and then immediately contact the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). According to OIA, the detained international student followed all relevant guidance from the University.
“Outside law enforcement personnel generally are permitted to access otherwise open, publicly accessible areas of the University. However, unless investigating agency or law enforcement personnel present a search warrant, they do not have a right to access areas that are access restricted, or to obtain information like documents,” a guidance document from the University reads.
The document also states that the University does not provide law enforcement with information about the immigration status or activities of students, faculty, and staff without a valid legal order “or as otherwise permitted by law (e.g., [the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act]).”
An October 17 email from Vice President for Operations Mike DeLorenzo and Dean of Students in the University Mike Hayes communicated the incident to all members of the University community and provided additional guidance on engaging with federal law enforcement. When asked for comment, a University spokesperson directed the Maroon to DeLorenzo and Hayes’ email.
Since Trump took office in January, OIA has sent several emails to international students recommending best practices for interacting with immigration enforcement and clearing customs. In April, ten international students and alumni had their visas revoked by the State Department with no explanation. These visas were later restored.
Immigration enforcement in Chicago has also increased in recent weeks as ICE carries out “Operation Midway Blitz.” While documented incidents in Hyde Park have been limited thus far, enforcement activities have taken place elsewhere on the South Side.
The Maroon is working to document sightings of federal immigration enforcement in the Hyde Park-Kenwood-Woodlawn area. We ask anyone who has evidence of immigration enforcement activity (e.g. a timestamped photo or video) to please contact us at editor@chicagomaroon.com or submit a tip through our tip form. If you would prefer to use Signal, the Maroon can be reached at nrodwellsimon.50. The Maroon protects source information, and your name and contact information will only be seen by the paper’s editors.
