San Diego Community College District

Dear Students, Employees, and Members of the Community:

Recently, the federal government announced that raids will be conducted to identify and apprehend undocumented people. The San Diego Community College District views the government's raids on our immigrant communities as an affront to basic human rights. While it is understandable that there may be arrests of immigrants who have received deportation orders, the effort to arrest other immigrants as “collateral arrests” is a disturbing process that is contrary to our posture as a welcoming and humane community.

We want to remind you that the San Diego Community College District is an inclusive organization, governed by a supportive Board of Trustees. City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education are committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students without regard to race, ethnicity, cultural heritage, national origin, religion, immigration status, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, or disability.

The United States Constitution applies to and protects the rights of everyone within the nation, no matter what their citizenship or visa status might be. Certain rights, like the right to remain silent and not answer questions asked by police or immigration authorities, apply to everyone.

There have been recent discussions at the national level about the federal government enlisting local law enforcement agencies to perform federal immigration enforcement functions pursuant to section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, by deputizing state and local law enforcement officers to perform the duties of federal immigration authorities. We would like to reaffirm that the San Diego Community College District will not be participating in the 287(g) delegated authority program. Any such participation would only detract from, and would not enhance the core values of the District. The primary function of the College Police Department is campus safety and not immigration enforcement.

As a public institution of higher education, the SDCCD works diligently to ensure that all students have full access to our programs and services, and are protected from pressures and intrusive actions that would disrupt or impair their education. The District complies with all Federal and State laws governing the privacy of student records including the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as well as AB 540 and the California Dream Act, which exempt undocumented and out-of-state students who completed high school in California from non-resident tuition.

As part of the District’s compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations, please know that the District:
- Will not allow federal immigration officials on campus absent legal authority;
- Will not act on behalf of federal agencies to enforce immigration laws or aid in deportation;
- Does not share student records containing confidential information about students without written consent, a court order or other legal mandate; and
- The College Police officers will not participate in any voluntary program of immigration enforcement.

The San Diego Community College District remains deeply committed to providing excellent educational opportunities and will do everything possible to ensure the academic success of our students.

Sincerely,

Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., Chancellor, San Diego Community College District
Ricky Shabazz, Ed.D., President, San Diego City College
Pamela Luster, Ed.D, President, San Diego Mesa College
Patricia Hsieh, Ed.D., President, San Diego Miramar College
Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D., President, San Diego Continuing Education