On Tuesday, October 6, College leadership hosted a special Campus Conversation focused on campus safety, protocols, and transparency following an Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)-related traffic stop witnessed by a student. More than 100 faculty, staff, and students attended in person at the Highland Campus Presentation Hall, and 400 joined online via livestream.
ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart opened the session by emphasizing that the primary goal was to foster open, honest dialogue and bring clarity to recent events. The focus of the conversation was to ensure safety and transparency across our community, rather than engaging in political debate.
Understanding the Incident
During the meeting, leadership walked through the specifics and showed video of the recent incident that occurred in a student parking lot adjacent to the Highland Campus. What began as a traffic stop on Airport Blvd. turned onto Denson Dr. and into a Highland parking lot, where two unmarked vehicles with flashing lights boxed in a pickup truck. A group of people later identified as ICE officers proceeded to arrest the driver of the truck.
Subsequent investigation confirmed that no vehicles or individuals involved were affiliated with the College as either a student or an employee.
Russell shared that legal counsel and public safety officers have reported that there has been a general increase in regional ICE activity, with 1 in 4 ICE incidents taking place in Texas at the moment.
Immediate Response and Communication
A student witnessed the incident and reported it. As soon as the report reached the Chancellor’s office, the Chancellor, staff, ACC District Police officers, and the College’s new victim services manager immediately went to the site to assist and directly support the witness.
An official email message from the Chancellor went out about an hour afterward to inform the college community. He said that an emergency alert was not issued because there was no immediate or ongoing threat.
Russell acknowledged that an unofficial communication chain activated quickly among students, meaning many learned of the event before faculty and staff.
He acknowledged that the anxiety, fear, and uncertainty this caused across campus is understandable and valid.
The College has engaged ICE to share safety concerns, questions, and frustrations and will share any response received.
Keeping Our Campuses Safe
Russell urged the Riverbat community to pay attention to their surroundings and distance themselves from any uncertainty before reporting a situation.
ACC Police are working to be more visible on campus. The department has reengaged the bike patrol and is now using golf carts to get around Highland Campus quicker.
ACCPD Chief Gizette Disher reminded everyone that they can call ACC Police Dispatch at 512-223-1231 if they are being followed by an unmarked car on our campus.
What You Can Do
Russell assured the Riverbat community that the College has plans and protocols in place for many scenarios, and they start with someone reporting an incident. You can view the College’s Emergency Response procedures and standard response protocol on our website.
He spelled out what you can do if federal immigration officers approach you on campus or if you witness someone being detained near our campus.
- Remain calm and stay where you are. Do not try to manage the situation yourself.
- Politely ask the officer to wait.
- Immediately call the Chancellor’s Office at 512-223-7598. Everyone is encouraged to save this number in their phone.
- ACC Police and College leadership will respond and work with federal officers as required by law.
- If an officer presents a subpoena, warrant, or other legal document, direct them to the Chancellor’s Office.
- Continue doing your work as usual.
- ACC Police will join the immigration officers and notify you of the next steps if needed.