Frequently Asked Questions

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions and resources related to immigration and immigration-enforcement. Our goal is to help you navigate immigration-related processes and connect you with the information and support available at SDSU. Other information and resources are available on SDSU’s Federal Updates page.

Guidance for Faculty and Staff

Read and download easy to follow guidance on what faculty and staff should do when an unexpected visitor shows up in their office, classroom or lab.

Privacy and Information

A: SDSU does not track a person’s immigration status. However, the university is required to collect and retain employment authorization documents that demonstrate an employee is authorized to work in the United States. Employees with questions about work authorization, a current visa or a pending visa should contact the Office of Faculty Advancement at 619-594-6111.

Free Legal Services

A: Through a partnership with Jewish Family Service of San Diego, SDSU provides free immigration legal services to eligible members of the university community. Services are available to:

  • Current SDSU students, staff and faculty
  • Immediate family members of current students, staff and faculty
  • Incoming students who have submitted their intent to enroll
  • SDSU alumni for up to two years after graduation

Immigration attorneys may provide consultations and assistance with:

  • DACA renewals
  • Naturalization
  • Family-based petitions
  • Deportation defense
  • Other immigration-related matters

A: Visit Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s Higher Education Legal Services page for more information and to learn how to request assistance. Associated Students also offers free legal assistance to SDSU students through a partnership with a local legal services organization. Visit Aztec Legal Services to learn more.

Members of the community can also contact the following: 

The San Diego Rapid Response Network is a coalition of human rights and service organizations, attorneys and community leaders that supports immigrants and their families in the San Diego border region. Call the 24-hour emergency hotline at 619-536-0823 or visit rapidresponsesd.org for more information.

ReadyNow San Diego provides information about low-cost legal service agencies and private immigration attorneys who may be able to assist with immigration cases. Visit ReadyNow San Diego for more information.

The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLU)  advocates for individual rights and fundamental freedoms through education, litigation and public advocacy. Visit the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties for more information.

Additional community legal resources include: 

Resources for Students

A: SDSU offers several resources to support undocumented students, immigrant students and students from mixed-status families, including:

  • The Monarch Unity Resource Center, which provides a welcoming space to relax, study and connect with support. 
  • Community support, events and other activities through the Monarch Unity Resource Center, International Student Center and other centers and spaces on campus. 
  • Counseling and Psychological Services offers counseling sessions.
  • Connections to legal resources through Higher Education Legal Services
  • Counseling and academic support.  
  • Wellness coaching and mental health programming through Counseling and Psychological Services. 
  • Assistance with immigration-related resources, including DACA renewal support. 

Students seeking assistance may contact the Monarch Unity Resource Center at [email protected] or 619-594-3634, or the International Student Center at [email protected].

A: SDSU’s Economic Crisis Response Team and the Monarch Unity Resource Center provide financial assistance for eligible students seeking to renew their DACA status. Students should complete the Economic Crisis Response Team’s online request form. The request will be forwarded to the Monarch Unity Resource Center for review. A coordinator will follow up with the student to verify the request and determine eligibility. For more information, contact the Monarch Unity Resource Center at [email protected] or 619-594-3634.

A: Students may access counseling, wellness coaching, academic support and other services through the Monarch Unity Resource Center and Counseling and Psychological Services. The Monarch Unity Resource Center can help students identify appropriate campus and community resources.

Resources for Employees

A: The Monarch Unity Resource Center works with community partners to connect immigrant students, faculty and staff with immigration-related legal resources. Support may include information about:

  • Naturalization
  • Adjustment of status
  • DACA renewals
  • Emergency planning
  • Safety preparedness
  • Know Your Rights workshops

Appointments may be required. For more information, contact the Monarch Unity Resource Center at [email protected] or 619-594-3634.

Faculty may also contact the Office of Faculty Advancement at 619-594-6111. Staff may contact the Center for Human Resources at 619-594-6404. Confidential support is also available through the university’s Employee Assistance Program.

A: If approached on campus, contact one of SDSU’s designated leads as soon as possible. H-1B faculty members should also contact their immigration attorney, their supervisor and Faculty Advancement at [email protected]. J-1 exchange visitors should immediately contact their faculty sponsor and Faculty Advancement at [email protected].

A: Yes. SDSU employees may access confidential support through the Employee Assistance Program for concerns involving emotional well-being, relationships, health, legal matters and workplace issues. In addition to assistance online, faculty and staff can call 1-800-342-8111.

Federal Immigration Enforcement

A: No. The University Police Department does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws or collaborate with federal authorities for the sole purpose of enforcing immigration violations. UPD provides services to all members of the campus community, regardless of immigration or documentation status.

A: Remain calm and do not physically interfere or escalate the situation. Contact one of SDSU’s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials, or the University Police Department at 619-594-1991. The university’s designated leads or UPD can help determine the appropriate process and verify any applicable legal requirements.

A: SDSU is a public university and portions of the campus are open to the general public. The university does not have the authority to prohibit federal immigration officers from entering public areas of campus when they are acting within their legal authority.

Access to offices, classrooms, residence halls and other limited-access spaces may depend on the circumstances and the legal authority presented by the officer.

The presence of federal officers on campus does not necessarily mean they are there to conduct immigration enforcement. Federal officers may be on campus for other reasons, including attending an event, visiting a class, participating in a career-related activity or accessing campus as students or employees.

If you observe federal officers on campus and have concerns about their activity, contact the University Police Department at 619-594-1991 or one of SDSU’s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials.

A: Access to offices and other limited-access spaces may depend on the circumstances and the legal authority presented by the officer.

Do not physically intervene or obstruct the officer. Contact one of SDSU’s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials. You can also contact the University Police Department at 619-594-1991 and ask UPD to respond. UPD can help verify the officer’s authority and facilitate the appropriate process consistent with the law.

A: As a general matter, individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes, including homes both on and off campus property. Immigration officers seeking to apprehend and remove an individual pursuant to a civil or administrative warrant do not have the authority to enter the premises without the occupant’s consent. In fact, the occupant need not respond to the officer’s questions or statements. Accordingly, individuals have a personal choice whether to grant an immigration officer with a civil or administrative warrant consent to enter their residence, and whether to speak with the immigration officer. In contrast, when a law enforcement officer has a criminal search or arrest warrant, the officer does not need consent to enter the premises or arrest an individual named in the warrant. 

If you are asked to allow access into university housing, with or without a warrant, ask the officer for documentation of their name, identification number, agency affiliation and business card; inform them that you must contact the designated university lead. As soon as you are able, contact one of SDSU’s designated leads or the University Police Department at 619-594-1991.

A: Contact one of SDSU’s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials. You may also contact the University Police Department at 619-594-1991.

Inform the officer that you are not obstructing or impeding an investigation but have been instructed to contact UPD. Do not escalate the situation or physically intervene.

UPD can respond, review any warrant or other legal document and help facilitate the appropriate process.

A: Immediately contact one of SDSU’s designated leads responsible for interaction with immigration officials. You can also contact the University Police Department at 619-594-1991. 

Inform the officer that you are not obstructing or impeding an investigation but have been instructed to contact UPD. Do not independently release records or physically intervene. UPD can help verify the legal requirements and facilitate the appropriate process.

Do not physically interfere or obstruct the officer. UPD can help review the warrant and facilitate the process consistent with applicable law.

A: No. Federal officers may be on campus for a variety of reasons, including attending an event, visiting a class, participating in a career-related activity or accessing campus as students or employees. If you have concerns about an officer’s activity, contact UPD at 619-594-1991 or one of the university’s designated leads.

A: No. UPD does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws or collaborate with federal authorities for the sole purpose of enforcing immigration violations. UPD provides services to all members of the campus community, regardless of immigration or documentation status.

A: There are generally two types of warrants used by federal immigration enforcement officers: an administrative warrant and a judicial warrant.

  • An administrative warrant might also be called a Warrant of Removal/Deportation. This type of warrant does not allow an officer to enter and search a home (including a university dorm residence), unless a resident of that home gives consent. An administrative warrant might allow an officer to arrest the person described in the warrant, if that person is in a public space.
  • A judicial warrant might be a search warrant, or an arrest warrant. In either case, it must sufficiently describe the residence that is to be searched, or the person to be arrested (either by name, or clear description). In every instance, a judicial warrant is only effective if it is signed by a federal judge.

A: Yes, the university will notify the campus community in compliance with California law. When immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on campus, SDSU will communicate with the university community through official channels, to include email (official SDSU accounts) and text (SMS). Notifications may include the date, time and location of the activity along with guidance and links to support resources. Notifications will not include personally identifiable information.

Additional information

A: Several off-campus organizations provide information about immigrant rights, legal procedures and applicable laws. Other resources that exist and are managed by off-campus groups and agencies:

Because laws and policies may change, community members should consult qualified legal professionals or current information from reputable legal and government organizations for advice about individual circumstances.