The following message was shared with NCCU students, faculty and staff on Nov. 19, 2025.
Dear Campus Community,
As you may have seen in news reports, federal immigration agents began operating in Raleigh, Durham and the surrounding areas on Tuesday, Nov. 18. University officials are closely monitoring developments that may impact our campus and community.
Agencies within the federal government may request information or seek assistance from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and its faculty, staff or students regarding a range of matters, including immigration-related issues. In all interactions with federal or state agencies, you should act professionally. These guidelines include information intended to support the safety of our campus community and assist you in responding to such inquiries.
Most buildings and spaces on NCCU’s campus are open to the public during normal business hours, and federal immigration officials may enter these public areas without a warrant, as would any visitor to our campus. However, entry to residence halls and other areas restricted to the public require permission from authorized campus officials.
What to do IF …
You receive a visit from federal immigration officials to your office or department.
Ask the official(s) to wait in a public area for your office/department and contact NCCU Police Department at 919-530-6106. An NCCU public safety officer will be dispatched to verify the credentials of the official.
While waiting for the NCCU public safety officer, contact the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at 919-530-6105 to request guidance from a university attorney. Please be prepared as you may be requested to disclose information about an NCCU student, faculty or staff member or yourself. If applicable, you can share the following with the official(s):
“It sounds like you are interested in obtaining some information from the university, and I am going to do my best to assist you. University policies and applicable law generally do not permit me to share information about our faculty, staff or students due to confidentiality and privacy laws. NCCU protocol also requires that our campus police verify your credentials. I am happy to escort you to a place where you can wait for NCCU Public Safety.”
If the agent presses for immediate action, please maintain professionalism, repeat the paragraph above, and contact your supervisor.
You get a request from federal immigration officials in writing or by phone.
First, call the Office of Legal Affairs at 919-530-6105 and inform them of the nature of the inquiry. Please specify whether the inquiry concerns a student, faculty, or staff member. Also, please note whether you received a subpoena, court order, or other written request. Be prepared to share a copy of any written request and related materials with OLA for its review.
You are asked for personal information about a student experiencing a health or safety issue.
A government official may, during a health or safety issue, request information about a student. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the university to release certain information. The Office of the Dean of Students (919-530-7466) or the Office of Legal Affairs (919-530-6105) should be contacted for assistance in these situations. You do not have authority to release information.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student educational records and generally prohibits disclosing those records without the student’s written consent. Similarly, the North Carolina Human Resources Act generally prohibits the disclosure of confidential personal information without an employee’s written consent.
You receive a visit from federal immigration officials to your residence hall, room, home or apartment.
Residence halls are private spaces, and federal immigration officials may not enter without a valid criminal warrant or the resident’s consent. This right applies to students both on and off campus.
Any unaccompanied non-student in a residence hall should be reported to NCCU Police Department immediately.
In addition, please remember:
- If you have real concerns for life and safety, immediately call 919-530-6106 (on campus) or 911.
- International students, faculty and staff should always carry evidence of their immigration status with them. If they leave the Durham area, we encourage them to carry their passport.
- NCCU’s Counseling Center offers mental health resources and support for our students.
Helpful Contacts:
NCCU Police Department and Office of Public Safety
EMERGENCIES and NON-EMERGENCIES | 919-530-6106
Office of Legal Affairs
Questions on information requests and immigration enforcement | 919-530-6105
Office of the Dean of Students
Questions about a student's personal information tied to a health or safety issue | 919-530-7466
NCCU Counseling Center
Mental health resources and support | 919-530-7646