Immigration Resources
Non-Participation in Immigration Enforcement Activities
All San Diego Community College District employees must adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and AP 3415 - Non-Participation in Immigration Enforcement Activities; Immigration Status Security. FERPA protects the privacy of student educational records and all personally identifiable information in those records. The district and its employees cannot disclose information about students without the student's written consent, even to federal authorities. We will comply with the California Value Act (SB 54) and not expend any SDCCD law enforcement resources on immigration enforcement or immigration information-gathering activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
AP 3415 clearly states the only individuals who can engage with immigration officials are the Chancellor and District Council. AP 3415 makes it clear where we conduct business with immigration enforcement or other government officials is the District office, not at college campuses or other sites where classes are in session and where students are actively participating in their education.
California law protects the right of every member of our community to participate in our educational programs.
California law prohibits our District from participating in any way in immigration enforcement. Administrative procedure 3415 ensures that our District is compliant with state law.
AP 3415 makes it clear no employee is expected to engage with immigration enforcement officials. You should inform them that you are not authorized to speak with them.
The District is providing cards that you can hand to that official, and you don’t have to speak with them. If they attempt to further engage with you, walk away.
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I am not authorized to speak with you, answer your questions, or provide access to any people or facilities per SDCCD policy. Only the District Chancellor and General Counsel have authority to assist you. You may contact the Chancellor or General Counsel at: 3375 Camino del Rio South, Suite 300 or 330 (619) 388-6857 or (619) 388-6880 |
If they insist on continuing to try to engage with you, call the College Police. If they insist on coming onto the campus, please call the College Police at (619) 388-6405.
If you are a student and an immigration enforcement official or other government agent attempts to stop you, I recommend you ask two questions:
1. Am I being detained
2. Am I free to go?
If you are not being detained, the official must answer yes, and you are free to go. Simply walk away.
An immigration enforcement official or other government agent may come on campus and present a warrant, subpoena, or other document they claim is a legal document that gives them access to individuals, property, facilities, records, or other information.
Warrants and subpoenas are complicated technical legal documents with very strict rules governing their legality. We do not expect any member of the District in any capacity to be in a role to review those documents and to grant permission, except for the Chancellor and General Counsel. If someone attempts to provide you with a document they claim gives them legal access, tell them you are not authorized to engage with them, provide them where they should deliver the document, which is the District Office, to the Chancellor or General Counsel, and simply walk away.
You are not under any obligation to interact with immigration enforcement officials or other government agents, and you are not authorized by the District to engage with them on behalf of the District.
If a member of our community comes onto our campus and attempts to harass, threaten, or otherwise engage with members of our community around their immigration status or any other aspect of their personal characteristics, please call the College Police at (619) 388-6405.
If you feel comfortable, ask them to stop, but in no way does any of our communication authorize to harass any student, employee, or other member of our community.
We value and protect the freedom of speech rights of all our community members, but freedom of speech does not mean the freedom to harass or intimidate members.
Resources
- Resources for California's Immigrant Communities (State of California - Department of Justice)
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Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan: This toolkit from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center goes into detail about different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, where to find trusted immigration services, and how to prepare for contact with an immigration officer.
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Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas: These cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center are available in 16 languages to help people understand and assert their Constitutional rights.
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Fact Sheet for Child Welfare and Guardianship Stakeholders: This fact sheet describes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy that allows parents or legal guardians who are arrested or detained by ICE to maintain visitation with their child or incapacitated adult for whom they serve as guardian, coordinate their care, and participate in any related court or child welfare proceedings, without regard to the dependent’s citizenship or immigration status.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/homePage.do
Please Note: This site is intended only for locating individuals who are already detained, and not for general immigration status inquiries.
Immigration lawyers in private practice, accredited representatives (who assist immigrants in immigration proceedings), or legal-aid organizations:
- State Bar of California Attorney Search: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys
- California organizations accredited by Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to represent immigrants before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR):https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/942306/download#CALIFORNIA.
- California Courts Self-Help Centers: http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-selfhelpcenters.htm
- Legal-aid offices and lawyer-referral services: Get free or low-cost legal help | California Courts | Self Help Guide
- The consulate or embassy of the individual’s country of origin
| Resource | Services |
| Legal Aid Society |
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Jewish Family Service, San Diego
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| Catholic Charities San Diego |
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| Alliance San Diego - Mobilizing for Change |
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| UURISE – Unitarian Universalist Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education |
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| International Rescue Committee San Diego Immigration Services |
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| American Bar Association Immigration Justice Project |
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| La Maestra Community Health Centers Legal Service Programs |
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| Immigration Center for Women and Children |
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| Al Otro Lado |
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| Casa Cornelia Law Center |
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| Immigration Advocates Network |
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| CA Rural Legal Assistance, Vista 760-966-0511 |
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