±¬ÁÏÉçÇø

Legal Information

Senate Bill 54 (SB 54) & Assembly Bill 21 (AB 21)

SB 54 

, also known as the California Values Act, limits the involvement of state and local law enforcement, including university police, in federal immigration enforcement. The law ensures that public institutions, including universities, do not use resources to assist with immigration enforcement except in specific circumstances. Key provisions include: 

• Prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using personnel or resources for federal immigration enforcement. 

• Restricting access to nonpublic areas, preventing ICE from entering without a judicial warrant. 

• Preventing the use of university resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals solely based on immigration status. 

• Requiring transparency and reporting on any law enforcement participation in joint task forces that involve immigration enforcement. 

By implementing SB 54, ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø complies with its legal requirements in upholding California’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities and maintaining trust between campus community members and university personnel. 

AB 21 

(AB 21) is a California law that provides protections for students, faculty, and staff regarding federal immigration enforcement on public college and university campuses. The law ensures that campuses: 

• Do not voluntarily grant Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to nonpublic areas unless presented with a judicial warrant. 

• Limit the disclosure of personal information about students, faculty, and staff. 

• Provide legal resources to students affected by immigration enforcement. 

• Notify the emergency contact of any student, faculty, or staff member taken into custody due to immigration enforcement. 

• Regularly update the campus community about immigration-related policies and procedures. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

• Can ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø deny ICE access to campus?
  ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø cannot prevent ICE from accessing public areas of the campus, such as open walkways, outdoor spaces, and common areas. However, per AB 21, ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø will not grant ICE access to nonpublic areas (such as classrooms, offices, residence halls, internal office spaces, and locker rooms) without a judicial warrant. This ensures compliance with state law while protecting the privacy and rights of students, faculty, and staff.
• What should I do if I see or am approached by an immigration officer on campus?

  Immediately do the following: 

  1. Direct the immigration officer(s) to University Police to validate any request.
     1. Location: Public Safety Building, 425 La Moree Rd
  2. Report the activity to University Police.
     1. Phone: 760-750-4567
  3. If you are uncomfortable calling University Police, contact:
     1. Erika Gravett, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
     2. Phone: 760-750-4437 
• Will ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø police officers assist ICE in immigration enforcement?

  No. Under SB 54, ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø’s University Police Department (UPD) is prohibited from using university resources, personnel, or funding for federal immigration enforcement. UPD cannot stop, question, or detain individuals solely based on their immigration status and does not coordinate with ICE for immigration enforcement actions. 

  However, SB 54 allows limited cooperation with ICE if the individual has been convicted of a serious or violent felony (as defined in state law) and ICE presents a judicial warrant. In such cases, UPD will verify the warrant’s validity and comply as required by law. 

• What’s the difference between an administrative warrant and a judicial warrant?

  A judicial warrant, issued by a judge, grants ICE the legal authority to enter nonpublic areas of ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø. ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø and UPD are legally required to comply with judicial warrants after verifying their validity. 

  An administrative warrant, issued by ICE (not a judge), does not provide legal authority to enter nonpublic areas. ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø and UPD are not required to comply with administrative warrants and will not grant access based on them. 

• Who verifies the validity of a warrant?
  University Police is responsible for verifying a warrant’s validity. Faculty, staff, and students should not attempt to verify a warrant themselves. Instead, they should immediately direct the immigration enforcement officer to UPD at the Public Safety Building (425 La Moree Rd) or call 760-750-7500. If you are uncomfortable calling University Police, contact Erika Gravett, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, at 760-750-4437.
• Are CSU employees allowed to assist ICE?
  No. Under AB 21, CSU employees are prohibited from assisting federal immigration authorities in enforcement actions. They cannot grant ICE access to nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant or court order, nor can they disclose personal information about students, faculty, or staff unless required by state or federal law (e.g., a judicial warrant, court order, or subpoena). If approached by ICE, employees must direct them to University Police. 
  
• Who verifies the validity of a subpoena?
  Subpoenas are reviewed and verified by Audrey Hotaling, Manager of Integrated Risk Management at ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø. If you receive a subpoena related to immigration enforcement, do not attempt to verify it yourself. Instead, contact Audrey Hotaling at (760) 750-4505 or ahotaling@csusm.edu for guidance.
• Will ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø release student or employee information to ICE?
  No. ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø will not release personally identifiable information about students, faculty, or staff unless presented with a judicial warrant, subpoena, or as otherwise required by law. Student records are protected under FERPA, and AB 21 further restricts data sharing with immigration authorities.
• What happens if a student, faculty member, or staff member is detained by immigration enforcement?
  ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø will notify the person's emergency contact as soon as possible, in compliance with AB 21. If detained, students will receive support to retain financial aid, re-enroll, and access campus services upon return.
• Where can I find legal resources if I or someone I know is affected by immigration enforcement?
  ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø maintains a list of legal service providers on the [Undocumented & Mixed-Status Support webpage legal services tab] that offer free or low-cost immigration legal support.
• Who should I contact if I or someone I know may be subject to an immigration order or inquiry?
  • Students: Jason Schreiber, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students (760-750-4935, jschreiber@csusm.edu)

  • Faculty: Michelle Hunt, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs (760-750-8362, mihunt@csusm.edu)

  • Staff: Erika Gravett, Associate Vice President of Human Resources (760-750-4437, egravett@csusm.edu)
• How will I be notified about changes related to immigration enforcement policies?
  ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø will post relevant updates on the Undocumented & Mixed Status Support and Services website and send email notifications to students, faculty, and staff at least once per semester, in compliance with AB 21. These updates will include changes to campus procedures, resources, and applicable laws that impact the university community.