FAQ | School of Medicine Police and Security | SIU

Immigration Assistance

The Department has not tolerated, and will not tolerate, discrimination against any person based on race, color, ethnic background, gender, cultural group, citizenship/immigration status, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, physical ability or other identifiable group. Bias-based profiling is strictly prohibited.  Stops, detentions, arrests, searches or asset seizure and forfeiture based on race, citizenship/immigration status, ethnic background, age, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, religion, cultural group or any other prejudicial basis by any member of the Department are prohibited.

Department personnel are held to the highest standards of professionalism. Compliments and/or compliant information can be directed to bnewman@siu.edu.

All personnel, prior to assuming sworn status, must take and subsequently abide by an oath of office to enforce the law and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the state of Illinois, the ordinances of Sangamon county, the ordinances of the city of Springfield, and, where applicable, those of governmental subdivisions. 

University policies prohibit discrimination, harassment, and violence. Information on policies and reporting procedures is available at: https://safe.siu.edu/

The Illinois Attorney General provides information and training to Illinois law enforcement agencies regarding laws that govern law enforcement interactions with immigrant communities. Law enforcement guidance is available at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Page-Attachments/ImmigrationLawGuidancetoLawEnforcement.pdf. In addition, The Illinois Attorney General outlines specific laws that assist in immigrant community protection. According to the Illinois Attorney General website, “The Way Forward Act, which became law in Illinois in August 2021, amended two existing state laws to add additional requirements and protections for immigrant communities: 1) the Illinois TRUST Act and 2) the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (“VOICES”) Act.  The TRUST Act generally prohibits local law enforcement in Illinois from participating in immigration enforcement. The VOICES Act provides procedural protections for immigrants victimized by violent crime or human trafficking who have assisted law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting certain types of crimes. Survivors of certain qualifying crimes may be eligible for a U-visa, and survivors of human trafficking may be eligible for a T- visa.” Information is available at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights-of-the-people/civil-rights/immigration/