Community Associations Institute is proud to release new guidance for community associations handling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests, developed to help community managers and board members navigate interactions with ICE agents while protecting the rights of residents, employees, and association leadership.
This nonpartisan and bicameral issue affects all types of community associations—regardless of location or political views—because it involves legal rights, privacy obligations, and the role of associations in upholding fair and lawful processes.
Recent reports indicate ICE agents visited community association offices seeking information on employees, residents, or business partners. This raises important legal and ethical questions about what information associations must provide, when they are legally required to comply, and how to respond professionally and lawfully to such requests.
CAI’s guidance, developed with community association lawyers, outlines best practices for handling ICE requests, including:
- Understanding the Nature of the Request—ICE may seek information for various reasons, including employment audits or targeted enforcement. Community managers and board members should be aware of these distinctions.
- Verifying Legal Authority—This guide helps associations identify the difference between a judicial warrant, which must be honored, and an administrative warrant, which may or may not require compliance.
- Protecting Resident and Employee Privacy—Community associations have legal and ethical obligations to maintain confidentiality unless a valid legal order compels disclosure.
- Developing a Response Plan – Proactive measures include designating a staff member to handle ICE interactions, training employees on proper procedures, and ensuring legal counsel is consulted before providing any information.
- Documenting all Interactions— Keeping detailed records of ICE visits, including agent identification, warrant details, and all communications, is essential for transparency and accountability.
CAI urges board members and community managers to consult legal counsel for specific advice on ICE-related matters.
Access the full guidance document here: Guidance-for-Community-Association-Managers-and-Board-Members-on-Handling-ICE-Requests-for-Employee-and-Resident-Information.pdf
