Immigration Enforcement
Triton College is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students, regardless of background and immigration status, have access to educational opportunities and resources. We recognize that undocumented students face challenges that go beyond academics and finances—challenges that are deeply personal and impacting their families and communities. Therefore, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where all students feel valued and empowered to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Triton College acknowledges that immigration enforcement activities may create fear and uncertainty within our surrounding communities. At Triton College, our mission values the individual while educating and serving the community.
The College will comply with any visits as required by law. Please note that immigration officials must present a valid warrant to conduct enforcement activities on campus. If you witness immigration officials on campus for any reason, please contact the Vice President of Business Service at 708-456-0300, Ext. 3240. The Triton College procedure (Procedure being a link to an anchor tag further down the page to new section "Procedure for reviewing law...") provides additional information.
Triton is also committed to supporting the well-being of our students, faculty and staff. In acknowledging the potential stress from current events and students in mixed-status families, counseling and wellness supports services are available. Additional basic needs support is offered through the College's Troy Safe Haven Program.
Below are resources, opportunities and support systems to help undocumented students navigate their college journey in a safe and inclusive space.
Know Your Rights/Conozca Sus Derechos
- Know Your Rights
- Conozca Sus Derechos
- National Immigration Justice Center – Know Your Rights: If you Encounter ICE
- IL IMMIGRATION INFO | Know Your Rights
- Procedure for Reviewing Law Enforcement Requests on Triton College Property
Contact Information
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Ian Torres |
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Olivia Garcia |
Resources for Undocumented Students, Families and Community Members
We Have Rights/Tenemos Derechos
Emergency and Safety Plans/Planes de Emergencia
Know Your Rights Cards/Tarjetas de Conozca Sus Derecho
Legal Assistance Resources/Recursos de Asistencia Legal
Additional Resources/Recursos Adicionales
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
- Immigrants Rising
- Informed Immigrant
- Resource Sheet for Immigrants
- Undocumented Resources for Educators, Parents, Students and College Graduates
- Undocumented Student’s Guide
- My Undocumented Life
- Immigration Legal Resource Center
The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Illinois has Financial Aid options for non-citizens
On June 21, 2019, the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act was signed into law, with an effective date of January 1, 2020. As described in the enacting legislation, the Act provides that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for state financial aid and benefits…”
Under the legislation, students who are unable to apply for a Federal Pell Grant may now apply for the State of Illinois MAP grant through completion of the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The Alternative Application provides a pathway for state aid only. The data from the application will be used to calculate a Student Aid Index (SAI) and determine students' eligibility for the State of Illinois MAP Grant.
HOW TO APPLY:
Pre-screening questions at the beginning of the application will help students determine which application (Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid vs. FAFSA) should be completed.
The Alternative Application is not compatible with mobile devices.
Click HERE to apply. For more information, check out the ISAC FAQs.
Scholarships
- Triton Scholarships
- MALDEF
- Hispanic Scholarships Fund
- Golden Door
- Thedream.us
- U.S Hispanic Leadership Institute
- Fastweb
- Illinois Dream Fund
Immigration Officials on Campus
If a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent seeks to enter Triton’s campus, enters Triton’s campus or engages in nonconsensual interactions with members of the Triton community, including employees or students, the Triton College Police Department should be notified immediately at (708) 456-6911.
During such interaction, do not share non-public information or accept legal documents, such as a subpoena or a warrant, without first contacting the Triton College Police Department. If documents are presented, inform the ICE agent that you are not authorized to accept service on behalf of Triton College and refer the agent to the Triton College Police Department.
If it is possible, the date, time and details of the interaction, name of the agent, agency affiliation, identification or badge number and contact information should be obtained. Do not physically obstruct or interfere with the actions of the agent.
Procedure for Reviewing Law Enforcement Requests on Triton College Property
Immigration Assistance
Policies and Procedures: Triton College does not inquire about anyone’s immigration status, nor does Triton College or the Triton College Police Department enforce federal immigration laws. We do not hold any person solely on the basis of a federal immigration detainer. We do not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless we are legally obligated to do so after being presented with a criminal warrant signed by a judge.
Additional resources include, but are not limited to:
- The Illinois TRUST Act
- The VOICES Act
- Illinois Immigration Info
- The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Procedure for Reviewing Law Enforcement Requests on Triton College Property
1. Purpose
This procedure establishes the institutional process for reviewing and authorizing requests by law enforcement agents to enter Triton College property and for identifying, documenting and responding to immigration enforcement activity occurring or having occurred on Triton’s campus. All terms shall have the meanings provided in 110 ILCS 167/18.
This procedure applies to all Triton College property.
2. Designated Authorized Contact
- The Vice President of Business Services shall serve as the primary Designated Authorized Person/Office for receiving and reviewing law enforcement requests to enter campus.
- In the absence of the primary designee, the Associate Vice President of Business Operations shall be the alternate Designated Authorized Person.
- The Designated Authorized Person/Office may consult the College Attorney at any time during the review process.
3. Procedures for Reviewing and Authorizing Requests to Enter Campus
Initial Contact and Verification
- Any school student or employee who is approached by a law enforcement agent shall refer the agent to the Vice President of Business Services and shall refrain from granting access until authorization has been provided.
- Upon receipt of a report, the Vice President of Business Services shall take the necessary steps to verify the identity, agency and purpose of the requesting agent and request and obtain copies of any judicial warrant, court order, administrative warrant, subpoena or other documentation supporting the request.
- All interactions with law enforcement shall be documented as set forth in Section 4 of this procedure.
Legal Review
- The Vice President of Business Services shall review all documentation provided for the following information:
- Validity and completeness;
- Proper signature by a judicial officer, if applicable;
- Scope, including persons or areas to be accessed;
- Compliance with federal and state law and school policy.
- The Vice President of Business Services shall consult with the College Attorney as necessary and appropriate to determine whether access shall be granted, denied or require clarification.
Authorization or Denial
- Access may only be granted if the request is legally valid, the documentation authorizes entry and the scope of entry is consistent with the law and this procedure.
- If access is denied or limited, the Vice President of Business Services shall inform the law enforcement agent of the reason and maintain all documentation as required in Section 4.
Additional Procedures for Immigration Specific Matters:
The following specific steps shall be taken in the event of an immigration enforcement action at Triton College. For this procedure, an immigration enforcement activity includes arrests or detentions carried out for civil immigration enforcement purposes by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection or any other individual or entity with authority to arrest or detain individuals for such purposes.
In the event the law enforcement request is related to an immigration enforcement matter and access is requested for a specific student or employee, the Vice President of Business Services shall notify the affected individual using the information maintained by Triton College and seek consent prior to granting access, unless prohibited by a judicial warrant or subpoena. Such consent shall be provided in writing. Triton College shall not voluntarily or without direct consent, disclose information regarding immigration status.
In the event immigration enforcement actions are confirmed and the Triton College Police Department determines there is a potential to affect campus safety or operations, the Police Chief shall notify, at a minimum, the College President and Vice Presidents and all members of the emergency management team. The notification provided shall only include information necessary for the continued safe operation of the campus. No personally identifiable information shall be disclosed, except as permitted by law.
4. Procedures for Documenting Interactions
All interactions with law enforcement agents on campus, including immigration enforcement actions, shall be documented by the Vice President of Business Services. Documentation shall include, at minimum, the following:
- Date, time and location of interaction.
- Name(s), agency, badge number(s) and contact information of the agent(s).
- Copies of all documents presented and the final decision regarding campus access.
- For immigration related matters, any notifications made and any additional documents generated related to requests for consent shall be maintained.
5. Training and Communication
All Triton College employees staff shall be provided with this procedure to ensure all law enforcement matters are directed to the Vice President of Business Services. This procedure shall also be posted on Triton's website.