Statement

Important Additional Updates From Columbia University

February 26, 2026
Columbia University logo

To members of the Columbia University community:

Following Acting President Shipman’s communication earlier this morning, the University is taking the following actions:

Additional deployment of University resources:

  • Additional Columbia Public Safety patrols and staffing are being deployed to our residential buildings.
  • All Columbia Residential staff have been provided with reminders regarding the University’s protocol for handling interactions with all law enforcement, including those from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We’ve added the following clarification: For non-emergency situations, residential staff will not allow any law enforcement entry into our buildings without Columbia Public Safety present and guidance from the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Given our understanding of the circumstances that transpired earlier today, and the misrepresentation of identity, if any federal law enforcement agents attempt to gain entry to a non-public building, in a non-emergency situation, take the following steps:
    • Ask for identification. Confirm the identification matches what has been declared.
    • Call Public Safety. Do not allow entry to a building without public safety present.
  • All federal enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, including DHS and ICE. An administrative warrant is not sufficient.
  • Importantly, if you encounter or observe DHS/ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on or near campus, immediately contact Public Safety. Do not allow them to enter non-public areas or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.
  • The University is organizing a webinar on “Immigration Policy and Understanding the Law” for today at 3:00 p.m., and another tomorrow likely at 3:00 p.m. These webinars will be available for all students, faculty, and staff to join. Information on how to access these webinars will also be posted on the ISSO website.
  • The University’s deans of students will be working with their communities on specific resources available to students within their schools. Additional information will be shared at the school-level.

The following support resources are available to our community:

  • For support from your school, contact the Dean of Students office for your school for additional support and resources.
  • Counseling and wellbeing resources (available in-person or via Zoom):
  • For spiritual support, you can connect with a Religious Life adviser.
  • For Columbia employees, TELUS Health is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider for Columbia University. The Employee Assistance Program offers services to support our employees, including counseling and wellbeing support services.

Students and Scholars can contact ISSO Advisors (24-hours a day):

Contact Public Safety:

  • Morningside: 212-854-5555
  • Manhattanville: 212-853-3333
  • Medical Center: 212-305-7979
  • Lamont: 845-365-8555