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Immigration Enforcement Protocols

A Campus Guide for Responding to Requests from Immigration Enforcement Agencies

The information provided offers essential guidance and resources for Citrus College employees and students in the event of immigration enforcement activities on campus. It also provides information on accessing free immigration legal services, links to relevant state laws and college policies and a curated collection of additional support resources. These include the Citrus College Dream Resource Center, legal service partners and multilingual know-your-rights materials.

TRAINING VIDEO
Please take a moment to view the training video, which provides step-by-step protocols for reporting and responding to enforcement activities. The video also outlines employee responsibilities for interacting with immigration enforcement officers. All the information in the training video can also be accessed in the tab below.

Professional Development Credit: If you are an employee and would like to receive professional development credit for watching this training, please register online.

REPORTING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
College employees and students are required to notify the office of the vice president of student services if an immigration officer is expected to enter, will enter or has entered the campus to execute a federal immigration order.

  1. Notify the vice president of student services (VPSS)
    Dr. Richard Rams
    (626) 914-8534
    rrams@citruscollege.edu

  2. Call the executive director of human resources if the VPSS is not available.
    Dr. John Albert
    (626) 914-8550
    jalbert@citruscollege.edu

  3. Contact the campus safety office if the incident occurs after hours.
    (626) 914-8611
    campussafety@citruscollege.edu

If there is reason to suspect that a student or employee has been taken into custody by immigration enforcement officers, the college must immediately notify the person's emergency contact. If you suspect this has happened, immediately notify the VPSS.

  1. Dr. Richard Rams
    (626) 914-8534
    rrams@citruscollege.edu 

  2. Call the executive director of human resources if the VPSS is not available.
    (626) 914-8550
    jalbert@citruscollege.edu 

  3. Contact the campus safety office if the incident occurs after hours.
    (626) 914-8611
    campussafety@citruscollege.edu 

If a student or employee is detained, they should speak to an immigration attorney as soon as possible and email the dream resource liaison at drc@citruscollege.edu to access the college's legal immigration services provider. There are also rapid response hotlines in certain districts that provide legal assistance for those who are detained.

  • People can be transferred to immigration detention centers anywhere in the U.S., though some people may be detained closer to their home.
  • You can search the Online Detainee Locator System on the ICE website for the location of the detained person.

WHAT TO DO
If an immigration enforcement officer or agent makes a request of you, be polite, do not lie, refer them the vice president of student services and escort them to the Student Services Building, SS 216, if possible.

What to Do

  1. Ask for identification and purpose of visit. Copy or document the officer's name, agency and/or ID number.
  2. Document the purpose of the visit and any details of their request.
  3. Note the type of document presented (e.g., administrative warrant, judicial warrant, subpoena, etc.).
  4. Make a copy or take a photo of any forms of identification or documents presented.
  5. Call the VPSS office, at extension 8532, to let them know you're coming and, if possible, escort the agent to the office. (Contact human resources if the VPSS is unavailable.)
  6. Document the names of all staff who spoke with the officer or agent.
  7. Once the interaction is complete, report all information to the campus safety office at ext. 8611 or email campussafety@citruscollege.edu.

What to Say (sample script in italics)

"Per state law and college policies, I'm not authorized to share student or employee information, but I'm going to do my best to help you by connecting you with the with the vice president of student services."

"Before I call, can you please provide me with your:

  1. Name
  2. Agency affiliation (e.g., Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
  3. Officer ID number (if applicable) and
  4. The purpose for your visit"

"Thank you. Please give me a moment while I contact that office."

[Call the VPSS office]

    • Share the information you collected
    • Confirm that it is okay to walk the officer at that time
    • If the VPSS is unavailable, call the human resources office and ask to speak with the executive director of human resources.

"Thank you for your patience, I can walk you over there now."

Once you escort the agent to the VPSS office, immediately call campus safety at (626) 914-8611 and report the incident.

EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES
In emergency situations, stay calm and call for support. Prioritize safety while following procedures.

  1. Do not refuse an officer or agent entry in exigent circumstances (e.g., imminent risk of harm, hot pursuit, etc.). During exigent circumstances, immigration enforcement officers may enter "private areas," where enforcement is typically restricted without prior approval.

  2. Contact the VPSS or the executive director of human resources immediately.

  3. If an officer enters the premises without consent, forward the information to the VPSS or executive director of human resources.

SAMPLE WARRANTS and SUBPOENAS
Employees are encouraged to review these documents with the understanding that decisions regarding their handling will be made by either the VPSS or the executive director of human resources.

  • ICE Administrative Warrant (Appendix A and B, pages 40-41)
    This type of warrant does not require immediate action. However, it authorizes law enforcement to take specific actions such as making an arrest or search and seizure. Administrative warrants are issued by agencies like ICE and do not carry the same legal authority as a judicial warrant.

  • Federal Judicial Warrant (Appendix C and D, page 42-43)
    This type of warrant, if signed by a judge, requires immediate action. There are two types of federal judicial warrants (search and seizure warrant or arrest warrant). These are court-issued orders signed by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to conduct searches, seizures or arrests based on probable cause.

  • Subpoenas (Appendix E and F, page 44-45)
    This type of warrant is a notice to provide testimony in court or produce documents and does not require immediate action.

  • Notice to Appear (Appendix G, page 46)
    This type of warrant does not require immediate action. It informs a person that they are required to attend a trial.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. If an immigration officer comes on campus, what should an employee do?

    College employees should not release any student or employee information or authorize access to any campus spaces. They must ask for the officer's identification, agency, ID number (if applicable) and the purpose for the visit. Employees should not disclose information but should refer and, if possible, escort the officer to the vice president of student services (VPSS). If the VPSS is not available, contact the executive director of human resources (EDHR) or campus safety, if after hours. Employees should document the details of the visit and immediately report the interaction to campus safety and the appropriate office. Remain courteous, professional and do not lie to the officer. Only the VPSS or EDHR are authorized to make decisions about information release or campus access.
    [AP 3415; AP 5017; Gov. Code, § 7284.6; Ed. Code, § 66093.3; Citrus College Training]

  2. May college employees provide information about a student's immigration status to ICE or other law enforcement officers?

    No. Employees are prohibited from disclosing information about the immigration status (or other personal information) of students, faculty or staff unless specifically permitted by state and federal education privacy law (such as FERPA or the California Education Code). Information can only be released with written consent, a valid court order, subpoena or judicial warrant. Employees must refer such requests to the VPSS or EDHR.
    [FERPA; Ed. Code, § 66093.3(f); AP 5017; BP 5040; Citrus College Training]

  3. What is the difference between an administrative warrant and a judicial warrant and how should employees respond?

    Administrative warrants (typically from ICE) are issued by federal agencies and do not carry the same legal authority as judicial warrants. They do not require immediate compliance and should be referred to the VPSS or EDHR.

    Judicial warrants are signed by a federal or state judge and do require compliance. If presented with a signed judicial warrant, employees should still refer or escort the officer to the VPSS or EDHR, who will verify the warrant's validity before action is taken.
    [Citrus College Training; Gov. Code, § 7284.6; Ed. Code, § 66093.3(d); Legal Document Definitions section]

  4. Are campus police or security staff allowed to assist ICE with immigration enforcement activities?

    Generally, no. The California Values Act (SB 54) prohibits community college security departments and campus police from using resources or personnel to investigate, interrogate, detain or arrest individuals for immigration enforcement purposes. They cannot conduct joint enforcement efforts, act as interpreters for ICE or transfer individuals to immigration authorities except in very limited situations authorized by a judicial warrant or in the case of serious crimes.
    [SB 54, Gov. Code, §§ 7284.6, 7282.5; California Attorney General's Guidance; Citrus College Training]

  5. What should an employee do if a student or employee is taken into custody by immigration authorities?

    The college must immediately notify the person's emergency contact if there is reason to believe a student or employee has been detained by immigration authorities. The VPSS must be notified first, then the EDHR or campus safety after hours, according to the college's chain of notification.
    [Ed. Code, § 66093.3(c); Citrus College Training]

  6. Can the college release directory information without a student's consent?

    Directory information (such as name, attendance dates, field of study, awards, etc.) may be released without consent unless the student opts out. However, directory information does not include information about immigration status, and release policies must comply with FERPA and relevant board policies.
    [FERPA; BP 5040; Citrus College Training]

  7. Who is the designated point of contact for immigration-related inquiries on campus?

    Citrus College requires that a staff member be designated as the point of contact for any student, faculty or staff person subject to an immigration order or inquiry. This employee will be the VPSS or the EDHR.
    [Ed. Code, § 66093.3(f); Citrus College Training]

  8. Are California community colleges considered "sanctuary" campuses?

    Yes. California community colleges are designated as sanctuary campuses under state law and district policy. They limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, protect student privacy and provide resources and support for undocumented students.
    [California Values Act SB 54; Education Code § 66093; Citrus College Board Policies]

  9. Where can students access free legal immigration services?

    California Community Colleges must provide access to free immigration legal services. Citrus College partners with organizations like Immigrant Legal Defense and the California Community Colleges provides a public web page listing free immigration legal service providers. The Dream Resource Center is also available for support.
    [CCCCO Legal Services Program; Citrus College Dream Resource Center; Citrus College Training]

  10. What must employees do if an immigration officer asks to enter a non-public area of campus?

    An immigration enforcement officer may only enter non-public (private) areas with a signed judicial warrant. Employees should verify the officer's credentials and purpose, not allow entry based solely on an ICE administrative warrant and immediately refer the officer to the VPSS or EDHR.
    [Ed. Code, § 66093.3(d); Citrus College Training]