Immigration resources for students, faculty and staff

Dear Campus Community,

This message provides an update to the university’s notification process under the Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act (SB 98), which requires colleges and universities to notify their campus communities when immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on university property. We are updating our process to distinguish between enforcement visits and routine compliance visits.

Enforcement visits
Enforcement visits involve active efforts to investigate, detain, or remove individuals under federal immigration law. Confirmed enforcement activity will trigger a campus notification under the SAFE Act.

Compliance visits 
Compliance visits are routine administrative interactions with immigration officials and do not involve enforcement actions. As an institution engaged in international student admissions, academic exchanges and employment programs, Fresno State participates in routine federal compliance visits to ensure process accuracy, provide training to Fresno State employees, and maintain the university’s eligibility for these programs and activities.

Because these visits are administrative rather than enforcement-related, they will not trigger a campus email notification under the SAFE Act. For transparency, Fresno State will post scheduled or completed compliance visits on our immigration site. If you would like to receive emailed notifications of administrative compliance visits, you may opt in by completing this form. 

Support and Resources
We understand that news related to immigration enforcement can feel stressful or uncertain, whether expected or unexpected. Our immigration site highlights supportive services and resources. Additional support is available for anyone who needs it, including:

• Student Health and Counseling Center
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dream Success Center
• CSU Immigration Legal Services
• CSU Resources 

Fresno State serves a diverse community, and we remain committed to supporting the success and well-being of all students and employees. We will continue to communicate clearly and connect our campus community with resources and support.

Greetings Bulldogs,

We are aware that unconfirmed reports circulating on social media have caused concern and anxiety related to possible immigration enforcement activity near campus. At this time, the University has looked into these reports and has not confirmed any immigration enforcement activity on or near the Fresno State campus. If you do see immigration enforcement on Fresno State’s campus, please contact me directly at 559.278.6561. You may also download a printable version of instructions on what to do if approached by an immigration officer on Fresno State’s campus.

When questions or reports arise, the University works quickly through established protocols to verify information. If immigration enforcement activity were to occur on campus, Fresno State would follow the requirements of the California SAFE Act, including notifying the campus community through official University communication channels. To learn more about the SAFE Act and immigration resources on our campus, please visit our immigration resources website.

We understand that moments like this can feel overwhelming or unsettling, especially for students and families who may already be experiencing heightened stress or uncertainty. Please know this clearly: You are not alone, and you are supported here at Fresno State.

The University has resources available to help you navigate this moment and care for your well-being:

• Know Your Rights Red Cards are available at the Library, the Welcome Center in the Resnick Student Union, the Dean of Students Office, the Student Health and Counseling Center, and other campus locations. These free cards outline your rights and may also be shared with friends and family.
• Counseling Services offers confidential support, including individual counseling and crisis assistance for students experiencing stress or anxiety.
• Student Health Services is available for medical concerns and can help connect you to additional care if needed.
• If you need assistance with food, housing, or other essential needs, the Center for Essential Needs, including the Student Cupboard, is available to support you.

If you have questions, concerns, or need help connecting to support, please contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.8740. Our team is here to help.

Fresno State is a community that cares deeply for its students. We remain committed to your safety, dignity, and success.

With Bulldog Pride,

Terree L. Stevenson

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and
Dean of Students

Dear Fresno State Community,

This message provides information about the Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act, a new California law that requires colleges and universities to notify their campus communities if immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on university property.

The law is now in effect, and we want to be clear about how Fresno State will meet these requirements.

What the SAFE Act Means for Fresno State

If immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on campus, Fresno State will:

• Send a campus-wide email alert to all students and all employees
• Share the date, time, and general location of the activity
• Provide a link to resources and support

To avoid unnecessary alarm, confirmation will occur before a notice is sent.

How Notifications Will Be Sent

• Email notification
• Website Banner, with real-time updates posted online
• Social Media Notice

Please be aware that our Bulldog Text Alert system is reserved for emergencies only, such as immediate threats to health or safety. Immigration enforcement activity alone will not trigger a text alert, unless there is an active safety emergency that requires an emergency response. In those rare situations, the university would follow standard emergency procedures. To ensure that you will receive emergency alerts, please confirm that your cell phone number is listed in the mobile field in your MyFresnoState portal under the Self-Service tab.

Support and Resources
We understand that news related to immigration enforcement—whether or not expected—can feel stressful or uncertain. Last Spring, we launched a comprehensive immigration site that highlights supportive services and resources. Additional support is available for anyone who needs it, including:

• Student Health and Counseling Center
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dream Success Center
• CSU immigration legal services
• CSU Resources 

Fresno State serves a diverse community, and we remain committed to supporting the success and well-being of all students and employees. Our goal is to communicate clearly, act responsibly, and provide assistance to those who need it.

We will continue to keep our campus informed and supported.

Sincerely,

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
President

Dear Campus Community, 

As we begin the fall semester, I want to share an important update: Fresno State has relaunched a centralized immigration resources website designed to support our entire campus community—students, faculty, and staff. This site serves as the primary hub for up-to-date information, guidance, and tools related to immigration matters.

Visit the Fresno State Immigration Resources Website

On this site, you will find:

• Details about upcoming educational opportunities and training
• Information on what to do if contacted by an immigration official
• Guidance on privacy protections for student and employee records
• Know Your Rights materials, including the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) Red Card in multiple languages.

Red Cards on Campus
 In addition to the online version, ASI has printed Red Cards available for pick-up at:

• Dream Success Center
• Library
• Welcome Center of the Resnick Student Union

If Contacted by an Immigration Official
If approached on campus or by phone, please refer the official to Terree Stevenson, Dean of Students, at 559.278.6561. If unavailable, please contact Lieutenant Madrigal with the Fresno State Police Department at 559.278.8400. You should state that you are not obstructing their process but need to consult with the appropriate campus designee. Download a printable version of these instructions for easy access.

Confidentiality and Privacy
University employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of personal and personally identifiable information. Records are protected by policies and privacy rights, including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).

I encourage every member of our community to explore and use the new immigration resources website. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring that Fresno State is a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.

Sincerely,

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
President

Dear Campus Community,

In light of recent news reports and inquiries, we want to ensure that everyone is equipped with the resources and information needed to navigate interactions with immigration enforcement officials in the event they come to campus. Below, you will find important tools, guidelines, and upcoming opportunities for education.

Resources:

The regional Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers a Know Your Rights Red Card, which is designed to help individuals communicate their rights in encounters with immigration officials.  ASI has printed Red Cards and made them available to the campus community.  

• Red Cards are available on campus, in our Dream Success Center, the Library, the Latinx Affinity Room in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center and the welcome center of the Resnick Student Union.
• Red Cards are also available for download here in a variety of languages.

What to do if contacted by an immigration official:

If you’re approached by an immigration official on campus or by phone, please refer them to Terree Stevenson, Dean of Students, at 559.278.6561, who is our designated campus official to interface with immigration officials. If Dean Stevenson is not available, please contact Lieutenant Madrigal with the Fresno State Police Department at 559.278.8400. It is important to inform the enforcement official that you are not obstructing their process but need to consult with the appropriate campus designees.

Employee, student and personally identifiable information in university records are protected by a variety of privacy rights and university policies–including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act [FERPA] and privacy rights of personnel records.  

University employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of personal and personally identifiable information, and records containing such information.

Upcoming Informational Webinar: 

This webinar will be presented by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC):

Immigration Know Your Rights and Advocate Training

• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• English Session: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PT | Spanish Session: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
• Subject: Training for advocates on Know Your Rights basics and how to lead their own training sessions.
• Register for English Session | Register for Spanish Session

For more context on the resources we’ve shared with the campus community, please visit our Student Resources website for undocumented students; this website will be updated as information becomes available.  

Thank you for your continued efforts to support our students and campus community. 

Sincerely,

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.

President

Dear Campus Community,

Recent national discussions on immigration have understandably raised concerns and questions among many in our campus community, especially our undocumented students and their families. With this message, I want to reaffirm our university’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for all.

Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of our updated Student Resources website for undocumented students. This new resource hub provides accurate, up-to-date information about rights, legal services, and other critical support systems available to undocumented students and their families.

Here are some important reminders from the California State University (CSU) system that guide our approach:

• A CSU education is secure. There are no laws that prohibit someone from attending college, and CSU enrollment policies are not based on legal immigration status. The U.S. Constitution stipulates that all students have the right to receive an education, regardless of their immigration status. Furthermore, the Education Code of California states: “It is the policy of the State of California to afford all persons in public schools, regardless of their … immigration status, equal rights, and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state.” Ed. Code, § 220.
• Financial aid options are available. State aid, institutional grants, scholarships, and loans are available to those students who qualify and complete a California Dream Act Application. Through programs such as the Central Valley College Corps Program, which offers up to $10,000 per year, and other funding opportunities, we remain committed to helping our students achieve their academic goals.
• Support is here. Free immigration legal services are available for CSU students, employees, their families, alumni, and newly admitted students.

Every individual in the U.S. has the right to legal due process under the Constitution, and Fresno State remains steadfast in ensuring that all members of our community feel safe and supported. I encourage our campus community to explore our new website, so we can all be informed. I also encourage our undocumented students to connect with our Dream Success Center, which offers personalized guidance and resources to help navigate these challenges. Additionally, we are grateful to the CSU for its strong advocacy on behalf of all students and for the comprehensive resources it provides. At Fresno State, we celebrate the resilience, determination, and invaluable contributions of our undocumented students. 

Together, we are a stronger, more vibrant community.

Sincerely,

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
President

CSU is a public university and a large portion of CSU property is open to the general public. The areas on campus that are open to the general public, like the campus quad and walkways, are also open to federal immigration enforcement officers. However, immigration officers cannot enter areas that are not open to the general public, such as residence halls, classrooms while class is in session, confidential meeting rooms and spaces, or employee offices unless the officer presents a valid judicial warrant or declares that exigent circumstances exist. Exigent circumstances are emergency situations that would allow immigration officers to enter a location without a judicial warrant. For more information, refer to the FAQs for CSU employees.

If an immigration enforcement officer approaches you to gain access to a nonpublic area of the university campus, or to obtain confidential student or employee records, do not voluntarily grant access. Respectfully let the officer know that you are not obstructing their process, but that you must contact Dean Stevenson to receive direction.

If immigration enforcement officers declare exigent circumstances, or enter nonpublic spaces without permission, do not interfere or obstruct them. Immediately contact Dean Stevenson. 

If Dean Stevenson is not available, contact Lieutenant Madrigal 559.278.8400.

• The officer’s credentials and contact information
• Names of all school personnel who communicated with the officer 
• Details of the officer’s request 
• Whether the officer presented a warrant or subpoena to accompany his/her request, what was requested in the warrant/subpoena, and whether the warrant/subpoena was signed by a judge; 
• Your response to the officer’s request; 
• Any further action taken by the officer; and 
• Photo or copy of any documents presented by the officer

Share your notes and any photos/copies of documents you obtained.

Get free legal advice now and plan how to respond to potential immigration enforcement encounters. Learn more about scheduling an appointment.

Access the Immigration Preparedness Toolkit and Family Preparedness Plan developed by Immigrant Legal Resource Center to help immigrants with no legal status or in a mixed-status household create a strategy to protect themselves and their family members.

Take time to figure out which documents you should and should not carry with you. Always carry a red card documenting your immigration rights card. Printed copies are available at the Dream Success Center, the Library, the Latinx Affinity Room in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center and the welcome center of the Resnick Student Union. See more information.

Contact Dean Stevenson (559.278.6561 or tstevenson@mail.fresnostate.edu) if you are approached by ICE or become aware of ICE presence on campus.

The CSU promotes and posts free webinars presented by our Immigration Legal Resource Providers, including a list of upcoming webinars.