Sacramento State is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of our campus community, regardless of immigration status. Presidential executive orders and other messaging coming from the federal government are understandably creating anxiety, fear, and questions about how to navigate potential interactions with immigration enforcement officials in the event they come to campus. In this message, we are sharing important tools, guidelines, and upcoming opportunities for education.
This message is divided into two sections: guidance for employees who may need to interact with immigration enforcement officers on behalf of the university; and guidance to students and employees who may be the target of immigration enforcement actions.
GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYEES WHO MAY NEED TO INTERACT WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
1. Sacramento State is a public university and a large portion of our campus, like all CSU campuses, is open to the public. The areas on campus that are open to the public, like the campus quads and walkways, are also open to federal immigration enforcement officers. However, immigration officers cannot enter areas that are not open to the public, such as residence halls, classrooms while class is in session, confidential meeting rooms and spaces, or employee offices unless the officer presents a valid judicial warrant or declares that exigent circumstances exist. Exigent circumstances are emergency situations that would allow immigration officers to enter a location without a judicial warrant. (For more information see CSU FAQ No. 2)
2. Sacramento State has designated two administrators to review all immigration enforcement documents. If an immigration enforcement officer approaches you to gain access to a nonpublic area of the University campus, or to obtain confidential student or employee records, do not voluntarily grant access. Respectfully inform the officer that you lack authority but will immediately contact our designated campus administrators, whose contact information is listed below. If neither of these administrators is available, contact the University Police Department (UPD) at 916-278-6000.
Machelle Martin, senior associate vice president for Human Resources, 916-278-4400, machelle.martin@csus.edu
Bill Hèbert, associate vice president and dean of students, 916-278-6602, b.hebert@csus.edu
3. If immigration enforcement officers declare exigent circumstances, or enter nonpublic spaces without permission, do not interfere or obstruct them. Immediately contact UPD at 916-278-6000.
4. The CSU has prepared the following resource materials to educate and assist employees concerning interactions with immigration enforcement officials:
→FAQs for CSU Employees about Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions on University Property.
→Presentation Slides: Responding to Immigration Enforcement Requests to Access Nonpublic Areas on Campus and/or Student or Employee Records; training posted to CSULearn.
→Quick Reference Guide: What to Do If a Federal Immigration Enforcement Officer Requests Access to University Property or Records.
→California Attorney General Guidance and Model Polices to Assist Universities in Responding to Immigration Issues.
5. Additional Resources
→Resources for Undocumented Students
→Resources, Guides and FAQs
→Free Legal Immigration Services
→Sacramento State’s Immigration-related Information and Resources page
GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS/EMPLOYEES PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY ENFORCEMENT
Sacramento State is dedicated to supporting all students, staff and faculty. Many support resources are available concerning immigration enforcement activities.
Talk to a Free Immigration Service Provider. Get free legal advice now and plan how to respond to potential immigration enforcement encounters. To schedule an appointment, visit the Dreamer Resource Center and click on Free Immigration and Legal Services.
Make a Plan. Access the Immigration Preparedness Toolkit and Family Preparedness Plan developed by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center to help immigrants with no legal status or in a mixed-status household create a strategy to protect themselves and their family members.
Know Your Rights. Take time to figure out which documents you should and should not carry with you. Always carry a red card documenting your immigration rights card. Printed copies are available at the Dreamer Resource Center. For more information, see this handout from the Immigration Legal Resource Center.
University Support. Contact Dean of Students Bill Hèbert at 916-278-6602, or senior associate vice president for Human Resources Machelle Martin at 916-278-4400 if you are approached by ICE or become aware of ICE presence on campus.
Stay Informed. CSU promotes and posts free webinars presented by our Immigration Legal Resource Providers on its webpage, including a list of upcoming webinars.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ON CAMPUS
Counseling and Mental Health Services: Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services offers confidential support for students dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental and emotional needs that comes with being undocumented or mixed-status.
Dreamer Resource Center: Engage with the Dreamer Resource Center, a space that offers support, resources, and advocacy for undocumented and mixed-status family students.
Cultural and Identity-based Resource Centers: If you are navigating the intersection of undocumented status with other identities, our numerous cultural and academic resource centers offer additional support and resources.
Basic Needs and Crisis Assistance Support: Utilize resources like the basic needs food pantry, emergency housing assistance, and financial support for essential needs to lighten the cost of necessities.
Legal Services: Access free legal assistance through the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) for matters related to immigration, DACA renewals, and other legal issues impacting undocumented students. Make an appointment here.
Academic and Tutoring Support: Engage with academic counseling and tutoring services to ensure you have the support you need to navigate your courses by visiting the Peer & Academic Resource Center.
Workshops and Information Sessions: Attend workshops that address key topics including immigration laws, DACA updates, and know your rights strategies during this time. Register here.
EMPLOYEE SUPPORT SERVICES ON CAMPUS
Employee Assistance Program. Mental health and wellness resources for faculty and staff are available through the Employee Assistance Program.
Legal Services: Employees are entitled to free legal assistance for matters related to immigration, DACA renewals, and other legal issues impacting employees. Make an appointment here.
We remain committed to student success and educational access for all of our students. Our guiding principles are rooted in our mission, student needs, and our role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANHPI-SI), and a Black-Serving Institution (BSI).
Now more than ever, a strong, welcoming, and inclusive community is essential to our ability to achieve our mission, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that every member of our campus feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. Please continue to take care of one another.
Sincerely,
