Campus News
Resources for undocumented members of our campus community
I write to reaffirm our support and care for undocumented members of the UC Santa Cruz community and share again important information about our support resources and what members of the UC Santa Cruz should do if they believe an immigration enforcement officer is or is expected to be on campus.
Dear Campus Community,
Over the past several weeks, there has been a reported increase in federal immigration agents in some communities across California. This past weekend, news outlets reported on the presence of immigration officers at the Santa Cruz County Jail on Water Street.
I write to reaffirm our support and care for undocumented members of the UC Santa Cruz community and share again important information about our support resources and what members of the UC Santa Cruz should do if they believe an immigration enforcement officer is or is expected to be on campus.
Our campus is built on an ethos of equity and inclusion. We remain deeply committed to advancing educational opportunities, fostering an inclusive community, and celebrating the heritage, achievements, and contributions of all of our community members.
The efforts, achievements and contributions of our undocumented and DACAmented students make our community stronger and more vibrant.
Undocumented and DACAmented students (those who have applied for and received documentation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) are able to attend UC Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to the ideal that all students, regardless of immigration status, have equal access to a UC Santa Cruz education. While we are guided by Assembly Bill 21 (AB21) and the UC Statement of Principles of Undocumented Members of the UC Community, which require campuses to foster an environment that is safe and welcoming for all, we are committed to this work because it is the right thing to do.
Undocumented and DACAmented members of our UCSC community have access to campus resources:
- Immigration Legal Services: If you or your loved one needs confidential consultation to assess eligibility for immigration relief programs, assistance with renewing your DACA status or have any questions regarding your status, you can make an appointment with a legal services provider for assistance.
- Undocumented Student Services: Undocumented Student Services offers a wide range of support systems, resources, and community for undocumented and DACAmented students.
- Know Your Rights cards (Spanish): Know Your Rights cards are now available for members of the campus community at various campus locations, including the Educational Opportunity Programs at the Academic Resource Center, Hahn Student Services, Kerr Hall, and the resource centers. Students and departments can request cards by emailing vcsas@ucsc.edu.
- Slug Support: Slug Support can help make connections for students to a multitude of other campus resources.
- Counseling and Psychological Services provides support for students and our Employee Assistance Program offers counseling and support to employees. On the Margins provides coaching sessions for students. To report discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics, contact the Office of Equity and Equal Protection.
In alignment with SB 98 and the direction of the Office of the President, UC Santa Cruz will issue a notification after it confirms the presence of immigration enforcement on campus.
We have no indication or reports that such activities will occur on our campus. However, we want the campus to be aware of UC’s position and our intentions regarding communicating with the campus community.
With the passage SB 98 (2025) and the continuing practice of AB 21 (2017), state law requires that you be notified of several policies and procedures in place with regard to possible immigration enforcement on campus. These laws require both the California State University and the California Community Colleges, and requests the University of California, to establish various policies and procedures on our campuses to foster a campus environment that is safe and inclusive for all members of our community, regardless of immigration status.
Please review the following so you know what to do in the event of immigration enforcement activity on campus:
- Please notify the Dean of Students Office at 831–502–5009 and the Office of Campus Counsel at campuscounsel@ucsc.edu and 831–459–1848 as soon as possible if you are advised that an immigration officer is expected to enter, will enter, or has entered the campus to execute a federal immigration order.
- All students, faculty, and staff responding to or having contact with an immigration officer executing a federal immigration order, should refer the entity or individual to the Office of Campus Counsel (campuscounsel@ucsc.edu and 831–459–1848) for purposes of verifying any warrant, court order, or subpoena.
- The Dean of Students Office is available as a contact if you are or may be subject to an immigration order or inquiry on campus. Unless permitted by federal and state education privacy laws, the designee in the Dean of Students Office is prohibited from discussing your personal information, including immigration status, with or revealing that personal information to anyone. The Dean of Students Office can be reached at 831–502–5009.
- We know that many members of the University of California community are concerned about immigration enforcement actions that may occur across the country and have asked about the possibility that enforcement actions could occur at UC. This FAQ provides information for UC employees about how to respond in such a situation.
- For more information about your legal rights in an immigration enforcement situation, please consult no-cost counsel at the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center and this “Know your Rights Card” (UCSC version in English and Spanish)
- For up-to-date information about campus operations please visit ucsc.edu/status.
It is imperative that all in our community know our support for our undocumented and DACAmented community is unwavering.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor