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How to Respond to Immigration Enforcement

All College of the Canyons employees must adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). 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 a student without the student's written consent, even to federal authorities. We will comply with the California Values Act (SB 54) and not expend any college resources on immigration enforcement or immigration information-gathering activities.

The following processes allow College of the Canyons employees to evaluate ICE or other law enforcement agencies' requests.

Instructions for Faculty

In the unlikely event that ICE or law enforcement comes to your classroom or work area, please do the following:

If ICE or law enforcement presents a warrant:

Ask for identification and to see the warrant.
Write down the officer or agent's name, contact information, and badge number.
Make sure the warrant has the correct address for your workplace.
Review the warrant to see what areas and items they are authorized to search. Note: ICE and law enforcement are not authorized to search areas or inspect items not described in the warrant.
Call Campus Safety immediately at (661) 362-3229 or Ext. 3229. Describe what is happening and ask them to come to your classroom/work area.
You can remind individuals in your classroom or workplace that they have the right to remain silent. Do not direct or order them to remain silent.
Campus Safety may review the warrant and determine the next steps. Most likely, if all the warrant information is accurate and it has been signed by a judge, you may be required to allow law enforcement to enter. In many cases, if they have a judicial warrant, they will simply enter your classroom or work area. This is legally permissible.
Always take notes on what they did and where they looked. In many cases, if they have a judicial warrant, they will simply enter your classroom or work area. This is legally permissible.

If ICE or law enforcement does not have a warrant:

Tell the officers, “I do not consent to you entering my classroom, office, or workspace.” Insist that the officers remain outside the classroom.
Call Campus Safety immediately at (661) 362-3229 or Ext. 3229. Describe what is happening and ask them to come to your classroom/work area.
Tell the agents/officers that Campus Safety is on the way, and they will need to make their request directly to Campus Safety and follow district policy. Remind them that they may not enter your classroom.
Return to your class.
You can remind individuals in your classroom or workplace that they have the right to remain silent. Do not direct or order them to remain silent.
If there is time remaining for class, it is at your discretion whether to continue instruction or dismiss the class.
You may also refer the agent to your manager or supervisor's office or department office. If you cannot reach your manager, supervisor, or department office, contact Campus Safety directly at (661) 362-3229 or Ext. 3229.

Best Practices for Keeping Our College Community Safe

Inform the student of their rights. If you can communicate with the student, advise them that they have the right to remain silent and to request legal representation. They are not required to disclose their immigration status without legal counsel present.
Conduct yourself professionally when interacting with federal immigration enforcement officials and do not engage in casual conversation with them.

Instructions for Staff

In the unlikely event that ICE or law enforcement comes to your work area, please do the following:

Refer the agent to your manager or supervisor's office or department office. If you cannot reach your manager, supervisor, or department office, contact Campus Safety directly at (661) 362-3229 or Ext. 3229 to inform them of the situation and ask for guidance.

Best Practices for Keeping Our College Community Safe

Inform the student of their rights. If you can communicate with the student, advise them that they have the right to remain silent and to request legal representation. They are not required to disclose their immigration status without legal counsel present.
Conduct yourself professionally when interacting with federal immigration enforcement officials and do not engage in casual conversation with them.

Instructions for Managers

In the unlikely event that ICE or law enforcement comes to your work area, please do the following:

1. Verify the agents' credentials and purpose. Politely request identification and business cards from the agents and inquire about the purpose of their visit. This ensures that they are official representatives and clarifies their intent. Document the interaction.

2. Call Campus Safety immediately at (661) 362-3229 or Ext. 3229 to inform them of the situation and ask for guidance.

• Do not disclose information about students, faculty, or staff, without direction from Campus Safety.
• Campus Safety will communicate with administration and appropriate district legal experts to ensure that student and employee rights are being protected under the law.

Best Practices for Keeping Our College Community Safe

Maintain a safe environment. Ensure that the presence of law enforcement does not disrupt the learning environment or cause undue stress to students, faculty, and staff. If necessary, suggest moving the discussion to a private location away from the classroom.
Document the encounter. Keep a detailed record of the interaction, including the agents' names and badge numbers, the date and time, and the specifics of their request. This documentation may be important for any future legal considerations.
Inform the student/staff/faculty of their rights. If you can communicate with the student/staff/faculty, advise them that they have the right to remain silent and to request legal representation. They are not required to disclose their immigration status without legal counsel present.

Immigration Legal Services

Local Services & Support

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), in collaboration with College of the Canyons, offers free virtual and in-person immigration consultations to our students, faculty, and staff. Services include: