Immigration Enforcement Preparedness

New Federal Requirement (April 2025)
Effective April 11, 2025, the U.S. federal government now requires many noncitizens age 14 and older—including some undocumented immigrants—to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and carry proof of registration at all times.
Click HERE for more information.

For international students, click HERE.

Access to the ILRC's Red Cards

Quick Guide for Faculty & Staff

How to Respond to Immigration Enforcement on Campus

Right to Remain Silent
- Don’t answer any questions.
- Do not volunteer any information.
- Don’t say anything about where you were born or how you entered the U.S.
- You can say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent..”

Right to an Attorney
- Do not sign any documents.
- Signing papers could result in you unknowingly agreeing to deportation.
- You can say: “I want to speak to a lawyer.”

Be Courteous
- Do not argue, run, or resist physically.
- Do not provide false information.
- If an ICE agent forces their way into a non-public space, you can deny permission, but do not obstruct them.
- You can say: “I do not consent to your entry.”

IF YOU SEE ICE ON CAMPUS

In a classroom or center: Refer the officer to the instructor or office staff present.
Anywhere on campus: Contact GWC Public Safety immediately at (714) 895-8924.

ADDITONAL RESOURCES

Find Someone Detained. If someone is detained, and you do not know where they are, you may call ICE at 212-264-5085 or search online at www.ice.gov/locator.
Videos and tutorials:
Use a Red Card. Red Cards also known as Know-Your-Rights Cards are available to download to a phone or carry with you.
- Download a red card here. Available in 16 languages.
- Go to the Financial Aid office and ask for a red card available in English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese, while available.

FAQs for FACULTY

In the unlikely event that ICE or non-HBPD law enforcement comes to your classroom or work area, please do the following:

If ICE or non-HBPD law enforcement PRESENTS A WARRANT:

Ask for identification and to see the warrant.
Write down the officer or agent's name, contact information, and badge number.
Make sure the warrant has the correct address for your workplace.
Review the warrant to see what areas and items they are authorized to search. Note: ICE and non-HBPD law enforcement are not authorized to search areas or inspect items not described in the warrant.
Call GWC Public Safety immediately at (714) 895-8924.
You can remind individuals in your classroom or workplace that they have the right to remain silent. Do not direct or order them to remain silent.
GWC Public Safety may review the warrant and determine the next steps. Most likely, if all the warrant information is accurate and it has been signed by a judge, you may be required to allow law enforcement to enter. In many cases, if they have a judicial warrant, they will simply enter your classroom or work area. This is legally permissible.
Always take notes on what they did and where they looked. In many cases, if they have a judicial warrant, they will simply enter your classroom or work area. This is legally permissible.

If ICE or non-HBPD law enforcement DOES NOT HAVE A WARRANT:

Tell the officers, “I do not consent to you entering my classroom, office, or workspace.” Insist that the officers remain outside the classroom.
Call GWC Public Safety immediately at (714) 895-8924. Tell Dispatch what is happening and ask them to come to your classroom/work area.
Tell the agents/officers that GWC Public Safety is on the way and they will need to make their request directly to them. Remind them that they may not enter your classroom.
Return to your class.
You can remind individuals in your classroom or workplace that they have the right to remain silent. Do not direct or order them to remain silent.
If there is time remaining for class, it is at your discretion whether to continue instruction or dismiss the class.
You may also refer the agent to your manager or supervisor's office or department office. If you cannot reach your manager, supervisor, or department office, contact Huntington Beach Police Department dispatch directly at (714) 960-8811, to inform them of the situation and ask for guidance.

Best Practices for Keeping Our College Community Safe

Inform the student of their rights. If you can communicate with the student, advise them that they have the right to remain silent and to request legal representation. They are not required to disclose their immigration status without legal counsel present.

Conduct yourself professionally when interacting with federal immigration enforcement officials and do not engage in casual conversation with them.

View the Guide to Immigration Enforcement including sample and subpoenas [PDF]

Download Quick Reference Guide [PDF]

FAQs for STAFF

FAQs for MANAGERS

Community Resources

IMPORTANT UPDATES

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Be Prepared

Develop an Emergency Plan.

Create a contact list of friends and family members that can help. Include names and phone numbers for people in your country of origin to call in an emergency.
Plan for childcare needs. Designate someone who can care for children and a way to contact them. Consider filling out the California Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit expressing in writing consent given to a designated caregiver.
Plan for medical needs. Write down and carry medical information such as doctors, name and dosages of any medications, or any allergies. Complete a HIPAA form [PDF] to give someone you trust access to medical information.
Create an emergency fund. If possible, save money for an emergency fund and clear instructions to access it.
Identify a lawyer. Identify an attorney for any potential legal representation needed and add it to the contact list.
Organize documentation. Keep an extra copy of important documents (i.e. birth certificates, immigration documents) with someone you trust.

Talk with your kids.

Show them the contact list. Make sure to include the name, address, and phone number of each child’s school.
Create step-by-step instructions for children. If parents or loved ones do not come home when they’re supposed to, have a list of steps for kids to take.
Show them the emergency plan. Keep the emergency plan and important documents in a safe place. Only share the location of the plan with trusted friends and families.
Roleplay with your children. Practice with your children what to say and how to respond to potential ICE Agents.

What to keep on you.

Keep passports, passport cards, driver’s licenses, or identification cards on you.
Keep a copy of the contact list.
Keep the phone number of an attorney.
Keep a copy of the Red Card to know your rights and communicate your rights.

Tools

Download an Emergency Plan [PDF] template.

Download the Emergency Plan [PDF] for guidance on creating your plan.

Download the Important Documents checklist [PDF].

Download a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit [PDF] (valid in California only).

Download a HIPAA form [PDF].

Find a lawyer at The State Bar of California or the CA Department of Social Services.

Find Your Loved Ones