The Council of Classified Employees, AFT Local 4522, is committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all workers and our broader campus community. In light of increased immigration enforcement activity in our region, we are providing accurate, verified information about the laws, policies, and rights that apply to California Community Colleges.
What the Law Requires
California law requires public colleges to notify the campus community when immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on campus, and to maintain clear procedures governing access and cooperation. Palomar College is in the process of developing systems to meet these legal requirements. Current law does not require colleges to notify employees when enforcement activity is confirmed to be near, but not on, campus. Other institutions have implemented optional information-sharing practices to address this gap.
What Your Union is Doing
To support our members and reduce reliance on rumors or speculation, CCE is working in coordination with the Palomar Faculty Federation (PFF) and trusted community partners to monitor and verify reports of nearby enforcement activity. When information is confirmed and fact-based, it will be shared with members, so you can make informed choices for yourselves and your families. Information will only be shared when it is verified. The goal is clarity, not alarm.
Below you can find educational resources and reference points related to the laws and policies governing immigration enforcement. These include state laws, California Community College system-wide guidance, and Palomar College local procedures. This approach is consistent with California law and with CCE's commitment to dignity, safety, and solidarity for all workers,
Campus Immigration Enforcement and Notification Laws
Requires California public colleges and universities to:
- Refrain from disclosing personal information about students, faculty, and staff.
- Comply with a request from an immigration officer for access to nonpublic areas only when presented with a judicial warrant.
- Maintain a contact list of legal service providers for immigration representation to provide to students free of charge.
- Adopt policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible, consistent with federal and state law.
- Post those policies publicly.
- Provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff informing them of their rights under state and federal immigration laws.
- Notify all students, faculty, staff, and campus community when the presence of immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus, including the date, time, and location of the confirmed immigration enforcement.
Limits on Cooperation with Immigration Enforcement
California law enforcement agencies shall not:
- Use agency or department resources to aid federal immigration enforcement.
- Place peace officers under the supervision of federal agencies for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
- Use immigration authorities as interpreters for law enforcement matters.
- Transfer an individual to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant.
- Provide office space for immigration authorities.
- Contract with federal agencies to house federal immigration detainees.
All public schools and colleges shall implement a policy limites assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and state law.
Anti-Discrimination and Access to Education
Affords all people in California public schools equal rights and opportunities regardless of immigration status.
Prohibits discrimination based on immigration status in public schools.
Prohibits school officials and employees, except to administer an educational program, from collecting information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members.
