FAQ

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 is available at: https://police.siu.edu/about/qos.php

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 Jackson and Williamson counties, the ordinances of the city of Carbondale, and, where applicable, those of governmental subdivisions. 

All personnel must abide by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Oath of Honor. The Oath of Honor is a code of ethics for all personnel. The Oath of Honor confirms the significance of integrity to the Department. All personnel must be fully aware of the ethical responsibilities of their position and must strive constantly to live up to the highest possible standards of professional policing. The IACP Oath of Honor is available at: https://www.theiacp.org/resources/the-oath-of-honor

The Department of Public Safety is an accredited agency through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). Law enforcement standards provide direction on consular notification, access, and officer training, and include prohibitions on bias-based policing.  Information on ILEAP is available at: https://www.ilchiefs.org/ileap-illinois-law-enforcement-accreditation-program-

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/