Listen Here
By Victoria Hansen
hansenv@findlay.edu
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, tensions ran high in the international community. Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 Haitians in the United States was supposed to expire that day before a judge’s order blocked it.
If the Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is removed, then the 350,000 Haitians covered by it will lose their right to live and work in the U.S. and be subject to detention and deportation.
The day before, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn released a statement saying that she had not been informed of any federal presence in Findlay, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The ending of Temporary Protected Status most likely impacts a few of our immigrant community members,” wrote Muryn in the statement. In 2024, Muryn said that about 1,000 Haitians moved to Findlay in the previous two years.
“Just because someone is an immigrant does not mean that they do not have a legal right to be in the United States. Continue to treat all our neighbors with kindness and respect,” wrote Muryn.
University of Findlay students, faculty, and staff received an email from UF President Katherine Fell with the subject “ICE Guidance attached.”
“You may have seen recent reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Ohio,” said Fell in the email.
“Please know that senior administration continues to monitor this situation and to follow the advice of legal counsel. To that point, we have crafted the attached protocol in the event that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visit campus,” Fell said.
The document explains the steps that UF plans to take if ICE comes to campus. It was previously distributed in a mass email on March 14, 2025.
“The document provides guiding principles to ensure legal compliance while protecting the rights and privacy of students and employees,” the document says.
The first pieces of advice are to remain calm and verify the agent’s identity by asking for the agent’s name, ID number, agency, purpose of visit, and permission to photograph the agent. Employees are encouraged to take notes throughout the encounter.
“Under no circumstances should you physically block or interfere with an agent’s entry/enforcement action,” the document says.
After identification is verified, the document says to connect agents to Brandi Laurita, vice president for student affairs and athletics, who will work directly with the agents. If Laurita is not available, Nikki Hintze, vice president for enrollment and marketing, is the contact person.
Agents should wait in a public place while they wait for a response from the contact person.
“Inform the agents(s) that you are consulting with appropriate university personnel who will be able to answer their questions and that you are not obstructing their process,” the document says.
Employees cannot answer questions that involve personally identifying information without a subpoena or a warrant and permission from Laurita or Hintze. Personally identifying information includes names, contact information, schedules, grades, and anything else that could be traced to an individual. Employees are allowed to give their own names to ICE agents. The university can release personally identifying information only if the student gives consent, there is a valid court order, or if there is a health and safety emergency.
Once the agent has contacted Laurita or Hintze, employees should notify the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, provide a detailed explanation of the incident, and keep all relevant security footage and documentation.
According to the National Immigrant Justice Center, if ICE stops you, it is important to remember your rights, including the right to remain silent. Do not lie or attempt to run or fight. If an ICE agent is at your door, do not open it unless the agent has a judicial warrant, which is a warrant signed by a judge.
If you are a U.S. citizen and feel safe doing so, record any activity by ICE and write down as much information as you can without interfering. Then, give the information to campus security. Do not share unverified information online or put yourself in danger.
