In a President’s Update on Aug. 29, Sacramento State President Luke Wood updated the campus on resources supporting undocumented, immigrant, international students and faculty.
The Immigration-related Information and Resources webpage provides support for undocumented, immigrant and international students along with faculty and staff to stay informed in the event of federal immigration enforcement action on campus.
Sac State provides resources and support through the Dreamer Resource Center, the Office of Equal Opportunity and the Division of Student Affairs. A list of resources, guides and FAQs can be found on the CSU website. Students also have access to free immigration legal resources. Counseling and mental health support are available through Student Health & Counseling Services.
Q: What does Sac State advise for students who see or are approached by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on campus?
A: According to CSU policy, each campus has designated officials to contact if they are approached by or see ICE officers. Students may contact Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources Machelle Martin at 916-278-4400, [email protected] or Dean of Students Bill Hebert Jr. at 916-278-6060, [email protected]. The Sac State Police Department may also be contacted.
Sac State advises students, faculty and staff to avoid areas where immigration enforcement is taking place and not to interfere with law enforcement agencies.
Q: How will Sac State respond to reports of ICE activity?
A: According to Wood’s Aug. 29 update, campus administrators will work to verify if immigration enforcement action is taking place on campus and respond to the location. If warranted, the Campus Activities Response Team (CART) will also respond to the location where the immigration enforcement is taking place.
Q: Will campus administrators notify students if ICE activity is detected on campus?
A: If Senate Bill 98 is signed into law, then the California bill would require publicly funded institutions to notify members of the campus if ICE activity occurs on school grounds, then yes.
Right now, Sac State will be following established CART communication protocols by sending appropriate campus-wide notifications about the presence of immigration enforcement on campus.
Q: What should students or staff say if approached by immigration officials?
A: Sac State has provided a sample response to give if a member of the campus community encounters ICE. Students are encouraged to stay calm and respectful, while directing the officer to the campus’ designated contacts.
Sac State Immigration-related Information and Resources has provided this as a template statement for campus community members to use:
“I am not authorized to speak with you, answer your questions or provide access to any people or facilities per CSU policy. Only our designated administrators have the authority to assist you.”
Then, you may provide the name and contact information of one of the campus designated administrators. If you are staff, you may also immediately contact a manager.
Q: Will Sac State Police Department officers work with federal immigration officers, if immigration enforcement takes place on campus?
A: The university police department will not participate in federal immigration enforcement investigations, nor will they detain, question or arrest an individual on the basis of citizenship or immigration status.
However, university police may be called to prevent injuries, property damage or enforce other criminal laws.
RELATED: FAQ: International students and visa/SEVIS terminations
Q: Can Sac State prevent federal immigration enforcement officers from coming onto campus or entering its property?
A: No, Sac State is a public university and a large portion of the campus is open to the general public.
Q: Which areas on campus are public?
A: Public spaces on campus are open to the general public and are also open to federal enforcement officers. Sac State does not have the authority to prohibit immigration officers from entering these areas.
Q: Which areas are not open to the public?
A: University buildings and spaces in which access is physically restricted by key card, locked doors or monitored entryways. This includes university housing and residence halls.
Sac State can prohibit immigration officers from entering these spaces. However, according to CSU policy and SB 54, “a judicial search or arrest warrant may authorize entry without consent.”
Q: If an undocumented student uses campus resources, could their information be given to ICE?
A: No, campus offices will not share student information with immigration enforcement unless compelled by a court order or a judicial warrant, according to CSU policy. Staff and faculty are prohibited from providing a student’s immigration status to unauthorized parties.
Q: Are CSU employees required to assist federal immigration authorities by providing personal information about another person or granting permission to enter nonpublic areas when officers do not have a valid court-issued warrant?
A: No, under the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450), employers shall not provide employee records or “voluntary consent” entry into “any nonpublic areas of a place of labor” unless ICE officers present a judicial warrant or valid court-issued subpoena. Employees are not required to physically block or interfere with an immigration officer’s entry in order to show that voluntary consent was not provided.
Q: What should a member of the campus community do if they are threatened with deportation?
A: They should follow CSU immigration enforcement protocol and immediately notify one of the university’s designated officials, who are authorized to verify immigration enforcement documents. The university police department and the Office of General Counsel are also available to assist. Always ask the officer to present identification and credentials. Do not consent to access or data sharing unless there is a valid judicial warrant or emergency. If no such warrant is presented, respectfully decline access and escalate to the proper authorities.
Q: Are student and work visa/green-card holders eligible to be deported?
A: No and yes, according to PBS, visa holders and green-card holders can generally be subject to deportation, though under different legal procedures than undocumented individuals. They may face removal due to criminal convictions, immigration violations or other grounds. Visa and green-card holders cannot be subject to deportation for merely being in the country, unless they commit a deportable offense.
The regional Immigrant Legal Resource Center also provides a digital “Know Your Rights” card. Physical copies are also available at equity centers across campus. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights has created a presentation regarding an individual’s legal rights. The Dreamer Resource Center will also soon be offering immigration enforcement actions training to all faculty, staff and students.
Sac State and a number of other organizations will also be offering a workshop series to help community members better understand various immigration policies.
