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Click on any accordion box for more information about the corresponding topic.
Information will be added as it becomes available.

Immigration and Changes in Enforcement

Student records are protected by federal law (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA). The following public directory information can be disclosed by Seattle Colleges (assuming the student has not opted out):

  • Student’s name
  • The act of enrollment in the college
  • Date(s) of enrollment
  • Division or area of study
  • Awards granted to the student by the college
  • Participation in officially recognized activities in sports
  • Weight and height of athletic team members 

For more information, refer to Seattle Colleges Records. 

Last updated: Thursday, March 6, 2025

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may arrive on one of our campuses. Seattle Colleges recognized that the presence of ICE or other federal agencies assisting immigration enforcement on an of our campuses may cause concern.

NOTE: Federal ICE Agents may be carrying firearms.

Washington state law prohibits any state agency (including Seattle Colleges) from using its resources to assist federal immigration enforcement or to target individuals based on race, religion, immigration or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin, except to comply with state or federal law. (Refer to the Limits on Local and State Participation in Enforcing Federal Immigration Law accordion.)

Seattle Colleges is required by law to:

  • Recognize the validity of official federal warrants and comply with legal orders
  • Allow the agents access to public areas of our campuses unimpeded

Seattle Colleges is not required to:

  • Bring or direct agents to the individuals listed in their warrants

For more information and staff contacts related to ICE protocols, visit the Protocols and Contacts webpage.

Last updated: Monday, March 10, 2025

The Immigration Know Your Rights website of the Washington State Attorney General's Office provides valuable information that every student, regardless of immigration status, should know. By knowing your rights, you can take steps to protect yourself and others in difficult situations.

Some key points to remember if immigration enforcement officers approach you:

  • The Right to Remain Silent: You can remain silent when interacting with immigration enforcement officers. You do not have to answer questions, provide personal information, or sign documents. You can say, “I choose to remain silent.” You can exercise this right anytime, even if you have already answered some questions.   
     
  • The Right to Ask if You Are Free to Leave: If an immigration officer approaches you, you can ask if you are free to leave. If they answer “yes,” you are free to go. If they answer “no,” you may request to speak with an attorney and invoke your right to remain silent.   
     
  • The Right to Privacy in Private Spaces: Immigration enforcement officers cannot enter private spaces (such as homes, offices, or classrooms) without a court order, or a warrant signed by a judge. If officers do not have proper documentation, you do not have to allow them entry. You can ask to see their court order or warrant before letting them in.   
     
  • Your Right to Seek Legal Counsel: If immigration officers ever approach you, you are not obligated to sign anything without fully understanding the document and its implications. You can request to consult with an attorney before signing any document. Signing certain documents (such as a Waiver or Voluntary Departure Agreement) can have serious legal consequences.

Refer to the Immigration Know Your Rights website for full details and comprehensive resources.

For more information and staff contacts related to ICE protocols, visit the Protocols and Contacts webpage.

Additional Resources

Businesses and public agencies (including schools) may also post “Know Your Rights” resources for their customers to know their rights. Immigration advocacy organizations are producing and making numerous such resources available. Here are a few:

Last updated: Monday, March 10, 2025

The Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) RCW 43.17.425 prohibits the use of state agency resources–including property and personnel–to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of laws that target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin. Under most circumstances, KWW limits state and local law enforcement from participating in enforcing federal immigration law.

No agency resources are to be used to aid in civil immigration enforcement.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section prohibits the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is:

(a) Required to comply with state or federal law;

(b) In response to a lawfully issued court order;

(c) Necessary to perform agency duties, functions, or other business, as permitted by statute or rule, conducted by the agency that is not related to immigration enforcement;

(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding; or

(e) In the form of deidentified or aggregated data, including census data. 

All state and local law enforcement agencies must have policies that ensure their “duties are carried out in a manner that limits, to the fullest extent practicable and consistent with federal and state law, engagement with federal immigration authorities for the purpose of immigration enforcement.”

Likewise, all public schools, courthouses, and public health care facilities must have policies for limiting immigration enforcement to the fullest extent legally possible to ensure these resources remain safe and accessible to all Washington residents, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

Our colleges have published websites with KWW guidelines: 

For more information and staff contacts related to ICE protocols, visit the Protocols and Contacts webpage.

 

Last updated: Wednesday, April 4, 2025

Seattle College is currently in the process for final approval and publication of policy.

Process: Written by HR and ACO, Policy requires review and approval by: Seattle Colleges Federal Changes Taskforce, Chancellor Executive Cabinet Members, Unions, Board of Trustees Members, and Seattle Colleges Assistant Attorney General, Education Division.

More information about this policy will be added as it becomes available.

 

Federally Funded Grants and Programs

Greetings Community:

President Trump recently issued Executive Orders that resulted in federal agency notifications to pause work, either entirely or in part. There have been several challenges to these Executive Orders, resulting in Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs). In particular, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued directing Federal grant-making agencies not to pause or terminate awards and obligations on the basis of the Executive Orders. On February 10th, the Court granted a Motion to Enforce in full. An appeal to the TRO was denied.

As a result of the TROs, agencies are responding by lifting earlier restrictions, usually through broad agency memo, rather than specific to any one award.  
While the TROs are in effect, grant workers can continue working on their federal awards.

All federal agency submission systems are operational at this time. Check your funding announcement for any revisions or updates, including the opportunity expiration date. I recommend signing up for alerts from federal agencies or sponsors.

If the NOFO has requirements that run counter to the TRO and you were unable to get clarity from the sponsor agency contact:

  • Make sure to include all attachments that are required for successful submission (e.g. passes validations).
  • It is okay to include a statement regarding the TRO in a cover letter or budget justification document, such as “The College recognizes this program falls under recently issued Temporary Restraining Orders. In order to meet the submission deadline, the college submits this application with required components and reserves the right to amend it consistent with current Court rulings”.

Please use the district's federally negotiated indirect cost rates until further notice.

Various federal agencies are assessing funding priorities and making adjustments in operations in response to executive orders and directives. We are aware that NIH study sections should have resumed but are held up because NIH needs to list upcoming meetings in the Federal Register and there are no new notices at this time. We are aware of other agency funding decisions that have been delayed.

If a federal agency emails a PI/Program Director with the option to revise recent proposals to remove or change sections within the proposal, the change may be minor and acceptable to PIs or it may raise concerns. If the PI wants to evaluate if such request is consistent with current legal proceedings, please contact your Grants Office. Your question will be fielded with the AG’s office assistance If a revised proposal will be submitted, or a response to a sponsor submitted, Federal Executive Orders may conflict with either state law or the mission, vision, and values Washington State charges us with as established per our Board of Trustees. Both are areas of concern. As a PI, any communication or guidance you receive from the Program Officer that you feel might violate state law (most notably the Keep Washington Working Act and existing state legislation pertaining to Equity and Civil Rights), please notify your Grants Director immediately. We will be able to offer guidance, and/or escalate concerns to the AG. It is important you as a PI be strategic in your communications with Program Officers and federal officials, as this point it is reasonable to assume those communications are likely being monitored.  

Executive Orders that indirectly or directly impede the ability of Seattle Colleges to fulfill our mission is also an area of concern. Our state allocation is contingent on our commitment to our mission, and changes to that mission are the prerogative of Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees sets policy direction, and defines standards for college operations. As a PI/Program Director, any communication or guidance you receive that you feel  contravenes mission of the Seattle College District should also be escalated to the Grants Office. College and District leadership in consultation with BOT will provide guidance on how to proceed.  

Stay on top of timely submissions per standard instructions in your award.

Some PI/Program Directors are receiving notices to cease award activities that have become noncompliant with the new Executive Orders, either specific to a particular project or via a broad message from the agency. However, with the Motion to Enforce the TRO, we are hopeful that these will abate. If you do receive a request for scope changes that requires you to send in a revised Statement of Work (SOW), then the revision must be submitted through the Grants Office.  

Questions about specific activities on your project should be directed to your Program Officer. Please document any communications that you have with your Program Officer associated with scope changes and cc the grants office.

Thank you

Kate Montgomery (she/her)
Director of Grants & Strategic Initiatives
Kate.montgomery@seattlecolleges.edu
(206) 934-5661

On February 13, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson, joined by state leaders, held a press conference at the State Capitol to discuss Washington’s response to President Trump’s executive orders, and provide an update on federal funding impacts.

Joining Gov. Ferguson were Attorney General Nick Brown, Commerce Secretary Joe Nguyen, Department of Children Youth and Families Secretary Tana Senn, and other statewide leaders.

 

 

 

North Seattle College - TRiO Student Support Services

Email: trio.north@seattlecolleges.edu 
Website: northseattle.edu/trio 
 

South Seattle College - TRiO Student Support Services 

Email: trio-sss@seattlecolleges.edu 
Website: southseattle.edu/trio 
 

South Seattle College - Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

Email: trio-eoc@seattlecolleges.edu 
Website: southseattle.edu/trio/educational-opportunity-center 

The Impact of AANAPISI Funding: Strengthening Higher Education for AA & NHPI Students

The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) designation represents one of the most significant federal investments in supporting the education of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) communities—a frequently overlooked population due to harmful misconceptions about these students’ educational experiences. Established in 2007 by Congress as one of 11 Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), the AANAPISI designation enables institutions with substantial AA&NHPI student populations to apply for federal funding to create and implement culturally responsive programs and services. Federal support for AANAPISIs has been critical to closing educational gaps, increasing student achievement, and strengthening the U.S. workforce, thus spurring economic development. Without continued funding, these critical programs will be dismantled, leading to severe negative consequences for nearly one million undergraduate students nationwide. 

North Seattle College - AANAPISI

Email: api.north@seattlecolleges.edu  
Website: northseattle.edu/AANAPISI 
 

Seattle Central College - AANAPISI

Email:  aanapisi.central@seattlecolleges.edu 
Website: seattlecentral.edu/AANAPISI 
 

South Seattle College - AANAPISI

Email:  aanapisi.south@seattlecolleges.edu  
Website: southseattle.edu/aanapisi 

 

North Seattle College - Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) 

Email: LSAMP.North@seattlecolleges.edu  
Website: northseattle.edu/lsamp  

 

Federal Student Financial Aid

We continue to award and disburse federal student aid.

As of March 20, 2025, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and other federal student aid funds provided to individual students are not impacted by the potential closure of the Department of Education.

  • If you plan to enroll for Spring Quarter complete the 2024-25 FAFSA or WASFA application
  • If you plan to enroll for Summer Quarter or beyond complete the 2025-26 FAFSA or WASFA application 
     

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

(this email was sent via the All Employee Distribution List at Seattle Colleges)

To All full-time benefits eligible employees:

As you may know, working at Seattle Colleges means you can join a federal program that could help you get your loans forgiven. That’s because the U.S. Department of Education considers us as a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Through this program, your student loan debt can be forgiven after 10 years of working for a state agency while making qualifying payments on your federal student loans.

 

If you haven’t signed up for PSLF yet, you still can. You’ll need to repeat some of these items annually to continue qualifying. One important step is working with our agency’s PSLF contact each year to submit a PSLF form. While the path to loan forgiveness can be complicated, you could save thousands on your student loans. To qualify for PSLF, you must meet the following qualifications:

Have Federal Direct Loans. This includes Direct Subsidized loans, Direct Unsubsidized loans, Direct Consolidation loans, and Direct Grad PLUS loans. If you have Perkins Loans, FFEL loans or Direct Parent PLUS loans, you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation loan to make them eligible. Before you consolidate, make sure you need to. That’s because consolidating can erase qualifying payments you may have already made.

Work full time for a public employer. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) defines

“full time” as working at least 30 hours/week. This includes multiple part-time public jobs where your combined work equals at least 30 hours/week. If you are part time faculty at an institution of higher education, we will multiply your in-class teaching hours by 3.35 to calculate your hours worked for PSLF.

Enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan. These include: Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE), and Income- Contingent Repayment (ICR). Payments you make on the 10-year Standard Repayment plan are also eligible for the PSLF program.

Make 120 on-time, complete payments. Your payments do not need to be consecutive (i.e., you need 10 full years to qualify but these 10 years don’t need to happen all in a row). However, you must be employed full-time at a public employer when you make payment. After you make 120 qualifying payments, ED will forgive your remaining loan balance.

 

To complete a PSLF form and submit an employment certification request to our agency’s PSLF contact, Seattle Colleges Payroll Team, you may use the PSLF Help Tool (https://studentaid.gov/pslf). Use the PSLF Washington state agency directory to identify the correct PSLF contact email and Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your current and former employers. Once your PSLF form has been digitally signed by our agency’s PSLF contact (Payroll@seattlecolleges.edu) using the PSLF Help Tool, it will be submitted directly to the loan servicer for processing.

Check out these resources to help you get started:

District Payroll Office

 

DEI in Washington State

Washington law clearly enshrines the right to be free from discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, military status, sexual orientation, or disability. (RCW 49.60.030; RCW 49.60.400). In Washington State, equity means creating access to opportunity and eliminating barriers so that all people can have the opportunity, through hard work and access, to thrive and flourish. (RCW 43.06D.020). 

Resource: © Washington State Office of Equity

Every agency has recruitment, hiring, and retention processes. These processes may contain unnecessary barriers that exclude people from competing for jobs they have the skills to perform. Through Executive Order 24-04: Increasing Employment Opportunities in Washington State Government, state employees are actively removing barriers from the hiring process to create a fair system so people can apply for the jobs they desire and have the skills, abilities, and knowledge to do.

Resource: © Washington State Office of Equity

Seattle Colleges is charged with adopting and implementing the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Vision Statement:

Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.

Diversity: The wide variety of shared and different personal and group characteristics among human beings. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect of individual differences.

Equity: The proportional distribution of desirable outcomes across groups, where an individual’s race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. do not determine their educational, economic, social, or political opportunities.

Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power. Inclusion promotes broad engagement, shared participation, and advances authentic sense of belonging through safe, positive, and nurturing environments. Inclusion is key to eliminating systemic inequality.

Social Justice: A broad term that connotes the practice of allyship and coalition work in order to promote equality, equity, respect, and the assurance of rights within and between communities and social groups.

Settle Colleges is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community by providing equitable educational and workforce opportunities for all identities including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, culture, creed, religion, spirituality, non- spirituality, social and economic status, sex, sexual orientation and identity, gender, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, people with disabilities, citizenship, and immigration status. SC is committed to creating an environment where all community members can learn and support one another, articulate differences, have an intellectual curiosity that seeks to embrace other perspectives, and celebrate this diversity;

Seattle Colleges is committed to fostering a strong sense of inclusion by showing care, respect, acts of kindness, and empathy to our community members as human beings from all backgrounds, cultures, traditions, viewpoints, faiths, races, gender, abilities, identities, ethnicities, and national origins coming together to learn and thrive. 

Seattle Colleges is at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and in our institution. Seattle Colleges must be the beacon of hope and light during these times for local, global, and national communities, while ensuring that all students receive the support necessary to achieve educational and generational dreams, explore and express their whole and best selves. 

 

Title IX and Gender-Affirming Care

Seattle Colleges stands firm in our commitment to providing an inclusive, safe, and respectful work environment for all employees, including those of all gender identities and expressions. Transgender, cisgender, and nonbinary – all employees of all gender identities and expressions – have the right to be who they are and express their gender identities openly.

 

Visas for International Students and Scholars

Contact International Student Services for more information:   

North Seattle College

Seattle Central College

South Seattle College

 

Last updated: Friday, April 11, 2025