TO: Campus Community
FR: Dr. Gerald L. Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, and Acting Senior Diversity Officer
Dear Campus Community,
In light of recent news and inquiries, we want to ensure that everyone is equipped with the resources and information needed to navigate interactions with immigration enforcement officials should they come to campus. This letter provides important tools, guidelines, and upcoming opportunities for education.
Resources
The Chancellor’s Office has updated its guidance documents and resources to support students and employees in meeting their academic goals. This updated information is publicly available on the CSU’s Resources for Undocumented Students page.
Additionally, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers a “Know Your Rights” Red Card, designed to help individuals communicate their rights during encounters with immigration officials. The DREAM Center has printed Red Cards that are available at various campus locations, including:
- The DREAM Center - located within the Center for Academic Access & Student Enrichment (CAASE) on the first floor of the library in Schulz 1119
- Seawolf Services
- The HUB Cultural Center
Red Cards also are available for download in multiple languages.
Guidelines for Interactions with Immigration Enforcement
Although Sonoma State University is a public campus, our residential communities and academic classrooms are private spaces. If an immigration enforcement officer (ICE) approaches you on campus, please follow these guidelines:
-
Request Credentials
Ask the officer for their name, badge number, the reason for their visit, and any documentation authorizing access to campus. Take photographs of any documents provided. -
Contact the Director of Institutional Equity and Belonging
Call Tramaine Austin-Dillon, who is our designated campus official at 707-664-2316. Respectfully inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to consult with Tramaine for guidance. If Tramaine is unavailable, contact the Sonoma State Police Department at 707-664-4444. -
Document the Interaction
After the encounter, take detailed notes, including:
- The officer’s credentials and contact information.
- The names of any campus personnel involved.
- The details of the officer’s request.
- Whether a warrant or subpoena was presented, and if so, whether it was signed by a judge.
- Copies or photographs of any documents presented.
- Any actions taken by the officer.
- Please email all the collected information to Tramaine Austin-Dillon at austindi@sonoma.edu.
Privacy Reminder
It is important to remember that employee, student, and personally identifiable information in university records are protected under laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and university policies. Employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of such information.
Workshops and Additional Resources
Recently, the DREAM Center, in collaboration with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), hosted a free "Know Your Rights" workshop open to the campus community. This workshop provided participants with critical knowledge and practical strategies for navigating encounters with immigration enforcement. The PowerPoint slides from the workshop are available here.
Counseling and Psychological Services are available for any student seeking support at 707-664-2153. A Confidential Advocate is also available at 707-664-2698. Our Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters by Empathia, is available to support staff and faculty at 1-800-367-7474. The Sonoma State Police Department is a resource for our community in urgent situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be reached at 707-664-4444.
For more information about resources, including free legal services through CHIRLA, and future training opportunities, please visit the SSU DREAM Center website, which will be updated as new information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued efforts to support our students and the broader campus community.