AMHERST — University of Massachusetts officials are dispelling unconfirmed chatter this week that federal agents affiliated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were present on the Amherst campus.

“Dozens of these reports have been fielded, and to date, none have been true,” reads a letter sent Friday to the campus community by Marsha McGriff, vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, and Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life. “ICE has not been on our campus.”

Both through social media and word-of-mouth, concerns had arisen about the possibility that ICE was at UMass, just days after 13 international students had their visas revoked and their student statuses terminated.

The letter suggests the rumor may have developed when someone saw a federal agent performing a routine background check on a job applicant, with that applicant having full knowledge and approval of that federal agent being on campus. That person may have been mistakenly identified as an ICE agent by someone who overheard the interaction, according to the letter.

On Thursday, UMass had posted on its federal actions page a sentence stating, “despite recent rumors, UMass is not aware of any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence on campus to date.”

The letter from the vice chancellors also references ongoing online harassment of students through social media accounts not affiliated with the university, and that officials condemn harassment, hatred and intimidation, and anyone being subjected to it should file a report.

“Every member of our community has the absolute right to live, learn and teach in an environment free from harassment and discrimination,” McGriff and Perdomo-Ahmed wrote. “To those of you who feel this weight more than others: Living authentically in this moment — whether by simply attending class or asserting your place in our community — is a powerful act of courage and resistance, and we stand with you.”

Earlier in April, UMass added a section to its federal actions webpage, which offered advice should there be federal law enforcement inquiries, whether by phone, email or other correspondence, or in person, and to direct these inquiries to the UMass Office of the General Counsel or, if a criminal warrant or investigation is underway, to the UMass Police.

Faculty, staff and others are advised against providing information, unless authorized to do so, as it could violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act or other applicable federal or state laws.

“This includes, but is not limited to, providing any personal information about a student or employee, or confirming that any person is a university student or employee.”

They are also reminded not to allow any federal agent into any non-public campus space without advising public safety or police.

Students are advised to contact Student Legal Services or a personal attorney for legal guidance, and that if they receive an inquiry or visit from federal law enforcement, UMass Police should be notified.

Under state law, public safety officials will not detain anyone based on a federal civil immigration detainer, with the responsibility for enforcement of federal immigration law left to ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

While UMass continues to have no indication that its students have had their immigration statuses revoked due to speech or activism, including through participation in the pro-Palestinian protests that led to arrests of almost 200 people in October 2023 and May 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that the Department of Homeland Security will review various social media and online activity.

“As a result, we recommend considering your public digital profile and social media activity,” the federal actions page states.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.