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Nationwide, recent federal dictation has put the security of the undocumented students in danger. Even areas previously considered off limits, such as buildings of worship or academic institutions like American River College, are no longer off limits for immigration officials. ARC and the state of California have a plan in place in case of the presence of immigration officials.
Sacramento, along with other cities, is currently suing President Donald Trump’s administration for unlawfully targeting sanctuary cities. Until the question of legality is worked out, citizens and residents of Sacramento may still encounter the threat of detainment by immigration agents.
As a measured reaction to federal policy, every strata of ARC is prepared to protect their undocumented students and peers from aggressive government immigration policy.
If an undocumented person is concerned about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on campus, they may be comforted to hear the words of Los Rios Police Chief Harvey Woo, who spoke bluntly on the subject of federal law enforcement on campus.
“LRPD is here to help, regardless of immigration status,” Woo said in a district wide webinar on Feb. 13. He further reinforces this policy when saying, “we are prohibited by California law to participate in enforcement removal operations by ICE … by the California Value Act.”
Woo reminded members of the webinar of everyone’s Miranda rights, wherein anyone apprehended by law enforcement has the right to remain silent, as well as the right to legal counsel. Additional advice about the rights of undocumented people are available online, with educational resources provided by the American Civil Liberties Union.
An undocumented person interested in furthering their education at ARC will find a wealth of information and resources specific to their challenges at the UnDocuScholar Resource Connection. Located in the ARC Welcome & Support Center, this center administers guidance and referrals for undocumented, DACA, and AB540 students looking for assistance with financial aid, legal services, as well as counseling and mental health services. Their website also includes a synopsis of the action items required for an undocumented student to get started.
The faculty of ARC have also been prepped for the presence of immigration officials on campus, and have been directed by Los Rios College Federation of Teachers on how to behave in a Jan. 17 email to faculty members from LRCFT Chief Negotiator Belinda Lum. The prepared statements for ICE agents that were included in the email guidelines included statements of noncompliance, such as “I do not consent to you entering my classroom, office or workspace,” as well as guidelines that will direct the ICE officials to LRPD. If ICE agents hope to find complicity with the LRCP, they would find the LRPD is prohibited from using money or personnel for immigration enforcement purposes, in line with California SB 54.
Additionally, the Trump administration is threatening federal funding to schools that allow protests that the federal government considers illegal. For protesters looking to protect themselves and know their rights, the ACLU has prepared a handy guide for anyone protesting or working with protesters.
Further details and resources for undocumented students and advocates can be found on the ARC website. For services nationwide, people can visit the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights.
Follow William Forseth on Instagram @WilliamForseth or email him at WilliamForseth@gmail.com
