Contradicting orders

The university’s guidance to DePaul’s community is to contact Public Safety and the university’s general council — the institution’s legal team — if confronted by ICE. 

However, RAs say they have been given a “confusing” set of instructions from their supervisors in the Office of Housing and Residence Life (HRL). They claim the instructions contradict the directive above and leave these student workers unsure about their responsibility. 

The first message, obtained by The DePaulia, was sent by Quana Atkins to West area RAs with guidance on Jan. 22.

The email indicated plans for the weekly RA meeting where resident directors briefed student employees on “their role” and “potential interactions” if ICE were to come to dorm buildings, according to emails sent to RAs obtained by The DePaulia. 

“You will also call Public Safety and call the administrator on duty,” an RA in a freshman residence hall said, recounting instructions in an interview. The DePaulia granted anonymity because the RA feared being reprimanded by Housing. “Once Public Safety arrives, they will take lead. They might dismiss you; if not listen to Public Safety, the AOD or ICE.” 

RAs said the first email made them unsure about the appropriate procedures if they were faced with ICE when serving as an adviser on call.