Information on Potential Immigration Issues

The College affirms its commitment to maintaining equal access to campus for all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. We have collected information and resources below, to help students navigate these potential changes.

• Statement of Principles: In January 2017, the College released this Statement of Principles, affirming the ways that Occidental will protect the privacy and wellbeing of its students and avoid voluntary assistance with immigration enforcement actions. This Statement remains in effect, along with the College’s January 2025 Protocols Regarding Potential Immigration Enforcement on Campus.
• Traveling Advisory: To avoid delays at ports of entry into the U.S., international students should observe the College’s traveling advisory and emails from the International Programs Office, and make sure to carry updated documentation on your person. If you encounter any difficulties entering the U.S., contact Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599, so that they can contact IPO.
• Emergency Contacts: Students and staff are encouraged to update their emergency contact information in MyOxy by navigating to Tools – My Personal Info – Update Emergency Contacts. 
• Directory Information: Students who are concerned about the potential disclosure of directory information (such as address, telephone number, and email address) are also encouraged to update their preferences on MyOxy by navigating to My Gateway – FERPA Authorizations. Students may opt out of disclosure of directory information, at their discretion, except as required by F and J visa regulations.
• Know Your Rights: The College hosted a free immigration rights session for College students, families, and employees with a panel of experts from the L.A. area, and is planning additional screenings. Topics included understanding immigrant rights, actions colleges and universities can take to protect those rights, and various materials and resources. Students and staff are also encouraged to review this Know Your Rights bulletin from the ACLU and this Guide for Students and Families from the CA Office of the Attorney General.
• Direct Legal Services: In January 2025, the College offered a free walk-in legal clinic at the Intercultural Community Center for students with questions about their documentation or immigration status. The College can also connect students and their families with an immigration attorney for legal consultation sessions of up to one hour, free of charge. Please contact the Intercultural Community Center (vgonzalez2@oxy.edu) with questions, and look out for emails from the ICC and IPO with more information.
• Staff Training on Responding to Immigration Actions: In January 2025, the Office of the General Counsel and the Human Resources Department hosted a training for Campus Safety, Student Affairs, Human Resources, and other support staff regarding California legal protections, potential immigration enforcement actions on campus, and how to calmly and lawfully navigate the presence of immigration officers. The training covered the Guidance and Model Policies issued by the California Attorney General as well as the College’s Protocols Regarding Potential Immigration Enforcement on Campus.
• External Resources: The College maintains this list of referrals to legal and advocacy organizations and other external resources regarding immigration issues.

Occidental College Protocols Regarding Potential Immigration Enforcement on Campus

Occidental complies with federal, state, and local laws regarding immigration and follows the Guidance and Model Policies for colleges and universities issued by the California Attorney General in December 2024**. State laws, including California Senate Bill 54 and Assembly Bill 21, limit the degree to which local law enforcement agencies may assist with federal immigration enforcement. Consistent with California law and with the College’s values of inclusion and equity, Occidental adheres to the following protocols:

• Campus Safety is committed to protecting the safety of all students regardless of immigration status – Campus Safety does not ask students about their immigration status or investigate, detain, or provide personal information about individuals for purposes of immigration enforcement. 
• The College does not disclose students’ educational records except as permitted under FERPA or with a student’s express written consent (see complete FERPA Policy). Students and staff receive annual notice of Occidental’s FERPA Policy, and staff are required to complete training on FERPA privacy protections. 
• The College designates the Dean of Students and Chief Human Resources Officer as the points of contact (“Designated Campus Officials”) related to any immigration actions or inquiries on campus. IPO is the primary contact for F and J visa holders. Please use the following contact information if a situation arises:
  • Dean of Students, Vivian Garay Santiago, (323) 259-2661
  • Chief Human Resources Officer, Mel Gamba, (323) 259-2526
  • IPO - Primary Designated School Official/Responsible Officer, Marisa Grover Mofford, (323) 341-1484 or Designated School Official/Alternate Responsible Officer, Robin Craggs (323) 259-2728
• All personnel who become aware of an immigration officer’s actual or expected presence on campus should immediately notify Campus Safety (323-258-2599); Campus Safety will then consult with the Office of the General Counsel. 
• Any student or employee who is contacted or questioned by an immigration agent should immediately and respectfully refer them to a Designated Campus Official, without providing other information. The Designated Campus Official will consult with the Office of the General Counsel for the purpose of verifying the legality and scope of any warrant, subpoena, or other request for information. 
  • NOTE: Only members of the Office of the General Counsel are authorized to respond to subpoenas on behalf of the College. (See Subpoena and Legal Document FAQs).
• College personnel are instructed not to physically or otherwise obstruct an immigration officer’s performance of their duties or intentionally conceal or harbor an individual in violation of federal immigration laws.
• However, College personnel are not required to voluntarily assist in immigration enforcement efforts. They should politely request the agent's name and credentials and refer them to one of the Designated Campus Officials, without accepting or releasing documents. Designated Campus Officials will then consult with College legal counsel regarding the College's obligations.
• If an immigration officer seeks entry to a non-public space on campus and produces a warrant or government subpoena, College personnel should explain that the College is represented by College legal counsel and request that they review the documentation. At Oxy, residences, classrooms, and other areas with restricted access are considered non-public, and immigration officers should not be granted access to such areas absent exigent circumstances or a valid warrant (as determined by the General Counsel). 
• If the College has verified information about activity on campus that would require immediate attention to and compliance with these protocols, the College will send timely reminders to the campus community or appropriate units, to help guide people through potential interactions with immigration officers. Such reminders would be designed to highlight key information from these protocols and remind individuals of their rights and responsibilities, and they may be sent by email or other communication channels (such as RAFTR).
• Upon receipt of information that a student or employee has been taken into custody for immigration enforcement purposes, the College will promptly notify that person’s emergency contact.
• In the event that a student is detained, deported, or unable to attend academic requirements due to immigration actions, the College will provide utmost flexibility and support and make all reasonable efforts to assist with the student’s reenrollment and reacquisition of campus services.
• Students may elect not to provide immigration or citizenship status information to Occidental, and this will not impede a student’s admission or enrollment. The College will not maintain a list or registry of students linked with immigration status, except as required by F-1 and J-1 visa regulations. Any information provided to the College during the application process will be protected consistent with FERPA and used only for legitimate educational interests (which do not include immigration enforcement). Undocumented and DACA students may find more information about admission and financial aid at this web page.

Community members may refer to this list of external organizations and resources, including those that provide legal immigration services.

**The Model Policies issued by the California Attorney General are hereby incorporated by reference into this Occidental College protocol regarding immigration enforcement on campus.

Last Updated: April 1, 2025