Protocols and Procedures for Supporting Undocumented Students

Dear Gavilan College Community,

Our college's mission is to empower and enrich students of all backgrounds and abilities. We believe in the dignity and worth of every person. As a community, we strive to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all.

With recent changes in our nation's leadership, many of our undocumented students and their families are feeling fear and uncertainty. We at Gavilan College are committed to protecting and supporting our undocumented students.

How can you help?

Learn about our protocols, procedures, and resources to support undocumented students (see below).
Please share the "Know Your Rights" workshop flyer with students and staff.
Spread awareness about our commitment to undocumented students.
Join us in advocating for policies that protect immigrant communities.

I'm proud to announce that we've recently hired our first full-time Undocumented Student Liaison, Omar Macias. He is scheduled to start soon, and we will share his contact information as soon as possible.

Gavilan College and the United Farm Workers (UFW) Foundation have partnered to bring free immigration legal services directly to ALL students, faculty, and staff. Immigration Attorneys and Department of Justice accredited representatives are available to provide free, culturally competent, and reliable expertise to the campus community. Students and staff can use this link to schedule an appointment.

We are an UndocuAlly institution. Our State Chancellor's Office recently shared legal guidelines reminding us that California and its Community Colleges remain Sanctuary Jurisdictions. We've also developed Gavilan College protocols and procedures (read below) to ensure we follow these guidelines. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these procedures.

Gavilan College Protocols and Procedures for Supporting Undocumented Students (Per Senate Bill No. 54 & Assembly Bill 21)

Gavilan College employees will not ask about a student’s immigration status except when required by law or for residency eligibility based on the AB540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption.
If immigration officers are on campus, please notify Campus Security at 408-848-4703. They will immediately contact the Office of the President.
The President/Superintendent or designee will ensure that immigration officers present a warrant signed by a judge that contains all required information.
The President/Superintendent or designee will keep a record of such investigations and requests for information.
The President/Superintendent or designee will immediately activate the college's support team and contact the Rapid Response Network. This network was developed to protect immigrant families from deportation threats and provide accompaniment support during and after a community member’s arrest or detention.

California Community Colleges Best Practices for Supporting Undocumented Students (Per Senate Bill No. 54 & Assembly Bill 21)

Refrain from disclosing personal information concerning students, faculty, and staff. Refer any person asking for such information to the Office of the President.
Notify the Office of the President or their designee as soon as possible if an immigration officer is expected to enter, or has entered, the campus to execute a federal immigration order.
Notify the emergency contact of a student, faculty, or staff person as soon as possible if there is a reason to suspect that the person has been taken into custody as the result of an immigration enforcement action and notify the Office of the President.
Comply with a request from an immigration officer for access to nonpublic areas of the campus only upon the presentation of a judicial warrant.
Advise all students, faculty, and staff responding to or having contact with an immigration officer executing a federal immigration order to promptly refer the entity or individual to the Office of the President for purposes of verifying the legality of any warrant, court order, or subpoena.
If an undocumented student is detained, deported, or is unable to attend to their academic requirements due to the actions of an immigration officer in relation to a federal immigration order, the District shall make all reasonable efforts to assist the student in retaining any eligibility for financial aid, fellowship stipends, exemption from nonresident tuition fees, funding for research or other educational projects, housing stipends or services, or other benefits they have been awarded or received, and permit the student to be re-enrolled if and when the student can return to the college. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in implementing this paragraph, California colleges, and universities make reasonable and good-faith efforts to provide for a seamless transition in a student’s re-enrollment and reacquisition of campus services and supports.

As someone who grew up in a mixed-status family and witnessed friends being deported, I understand the pain and anxiety that these uncertain times can bring. Let's come together to support our undocumented students and their families.

Together, we can make a difference.

Kind Regards,
Dr. Pedro Avila
Superintendent/President
5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard | Gilroy, CA 95020
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