Immigration Resources
Do you need legal support?
Contact Jewish Family Service, which takes referrals from Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³».
Immediate Help and Reporting
Immigration Activity on Campus: What to Do
Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» is committed to supporting the safety, privacy and well-being of all members of the university community. This page provides guidance on what to do if you observe suspected immigration activity on campus or if a federal immigration officer requests access to a campus space, records or information.
If you observe a federal immigration officer on campus involved in suspected immigration activity:
- Remain calm. Do not physically interfere with, obstruct or escalate the situation.
- Do not independently provide records, documents or access to limited-access spaces.
- Do not grant access independently.
- Report suspected immigration activity on campus.
- Immediately contact one of Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials. You can also contact the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» Police Department at 619-594-1991, option 1
- If you are witnessing an emergency or believe there is an immediate threat to safety, call 911.
- Provide the location and a brief description of what you observed, if it is safe to do so.
- Report only activity you have personally observed or information you have received from a reliable source.
- The designated leads or UPD will respond, review the officer’s authority and help facilitate the appropriate process consistent with applicable law and university policy.
- Follow instructions from the designated campus lead or UPD.
- Tell the officer that you are not obstructing or impeding an investigation but have been instructed to contact a designated campus lead and UPD.
- Avoid speculation and do not share personally identifiable information unless requested through the appropriate process.
- Do not physically intervene or attempt to prevent an officer from carrying out an investigation.
- Do not make assumptions about a person’s immigration status.
- Do not share unconfirmed information through email, social media or other channels.
The presence of federal officers on campus does not necessarily mean they are conducting immigration enforcement. Federal officers may be on campus for other reasons, including attending an event, visiting a class, participating in a career-related activity or accessing campus as students or employees. If you are unsure, contact one of Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s designated leads:
- Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» primary contact: Senior Associate Vice President, Administration Jessica Rentto at 619-594-8640 or 619-594-6017
- Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» secondary contact: Associate Vice President of Safety Josh Mays at 619-594-3692
- Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» Imperial Valley contact: Dean Gina Nunez-Michiri at 760-768-5520
- After hours, students, faculty and staff may call the University Police Department at 619-594-1991; those at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» Imperial Valley can call campus security at 760-790-7124
Campus Communications
Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» will send a campus notification to ensure awareness of confirmed immigration enforcement-related activities, as required by state laws, SB 98 and AB 21. A notice via email (official Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» accounts) and text (SMS) may include the date and time of the confirmed activity, the general location and guidance for community members, with details about information and support resources.
Notifications will not include personally identifiable information.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» may also communicate information about off-campus law enforcement activity when appropriate, although notifications are not required for activity that occurs away from campus.
Members of the community should rely on official Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» communications and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports.
What to Avoid
If you observe suspected immigration activity or interact with a federal immigration officer:
- Do not physically interfere, obstruct or escalate the situation. If you are observing or documenting the law enforcement activity, please maintain a safe distance to ensure your personal safety and to avoid physically obstructing or interfering with officers
- Do not independently release confidential records or personal information.
- Do not provide access to a limited-access space without authorization. That includes classrooms, residence halls, centers, laboratories and office spaces.
- Do not make assumptions about a person’s immigration status.
- Do not share unconfirmed information through email, social media or other channels.
- Do not represent that you are speaking on behalf of Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» unless you are authorized to do so.
Resources for Allies
Campus and community allies play a vital role in supporting the success of undocumented and international students. These resources are designed to help allies stay informed, build awareness, and effectively provide support.
Members of the campus community can:
- Participate in UndocuAlly training
- Attend Know Your Rights workshops
- Share accurate information and campus resources
- Avoid making assumptions about a person’s immigration status
- Refer students, faculty and staff to appropriate campus offices
- Contact one of the university’s designated leads or UPD if you are approached by an immigration officer or receive a request for access to limited-access spaces
UndocuAlly Training
The Monarch Unity Resource Center (MURC)’s UndocuAlly Training is designed for staff, faculty, and student leaders. This training delves into the experiences of undocumented and mixed-status students and provides practical tools to support them.
The goal is to equip allies with the knowledge and resources needed to foster a campus environment that empowers and uplifts undocumented students, promoting their success and sense of belonging.
The UndocuAlly Training is offered via Zoom. Contact the MURC front desk with questions or to seek information about training sessions by emailing [email protected].
- (downloadable Know Your Rights cards)
California
National
