At the University of California, Berkeley, the school is giving students a heads up that as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts immigration enforcement “sweeps”, ICE could reach the university campus if the sweeps intend to target Northern California. In light of this, the university’s Division of Equity & Inclusion website now has a page with resources for students that ICE might seek to question.
“While we currently have no information suggesting that our campus, in particular, could be targeted,” the university said in a statement on the website, “we believe it is still important for all of us to be informed and prepared in order to support and protect vulnerable members of our community.”
The page gives three options for resources: “Student Community”, “Campus Community”, and “Ally Community”.
The page for the student community offers six resources. One is for knowing your rights if approached by ICE agents, reminding people of their 5thamendment right to remain silent and that entry into a dorm or apartment would require a warrant.
Another page includes a frequently asked questions page about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), telling students the current status of the program, how they can renew DACA, and how to navigate student life as a DACA recipient.
An Immigration Sweeps Toolkit is also on the website, letting students know where ICE is allowed on the grounds of the university, designating different areas as “Public Access”, “Restricted Access”, or “Limited Access”.
One page redirects to the website of the university’s emergency legal assistance program for students, where they can sign up for appointments.
A page also directs to a university-issued statement in support of undocumented students in the school community.
“UC will continue to admit students in a manner consistent with our nondiscrimination policy and without regard to a student’s race, color, national origin, religion, citizenship or other protected characteristic,” the university says. “In other words, undocumented applicants with or without DACA status will be considered for admission on the same basis as any U.S. citizen or other applicant.”
The final page on the website features a note to call Campus Counsel if ICE agents are spotted on campus.
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