Statement on federal funding, immigration orders
The college is aware of memos and orders published by the Trump Administration regarding the pausing of federal grant and loan funding and the authorization of protocols for immigration review and engagement. We are fully committed to protecting all students' and employees' rights to learning, livelihood, and dignity in our campus spaces.
Federal Student Financial Aid
We are working with our county, state, and federal officials to learn more about the legal interpretations of how these orders can be executed, and we want to assure our communities of what to expect in specific scenarios as more information becomes available. We will notify all community members about new details from the U.S. Department of Education, and the Maryland State Higher Education Commission as they are published.
Immigration Engagement on Campus
The Office of the Attorney General of the State of Maryland has released new guidance on lawful contact of students and employees by anyone purporting to be a federal immigration official while on campus grounds. That memorandum can be read here.
If anyone approaches you about immigration status while on campus, all employees should do the following:
Direct the person to a public place on campus
Immediately contact the offices of the provost and the general counsel
Do NOT discuss or disclose information about any student or employee because the information may be subject to privacy laws
According to the Department of Education, the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) permits institutions to comply with information requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to comply with the requirements of specific international programs. However, the information that can be requested and provided is limited to the categories listed in DHS regulations. That request must be made to a Designated School Official (DSO). For other information, international student records are entitled to the same FERPA protection that otherwise governs student education records in the United States.
HCC is committed to following the constitution, upholding our state and federal laws, and helping our stakeholders understand their rights and responsibilities under new orders and policy changes. We will let you know as soon as more information becomes available.