As President Donald Trump begins his second term, his strong anti-immigration policies have begun to roll out.
In an announcement on Jan. 21, 2025, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove wrote that “Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands or requests,” according to the three-page memo sent to the U.S. Department of Justice employees.
The uncertainty of their safety has left some students with a sense of fear. In reporting this story, the Collegian found that while students were willing to talk, they were unwilling to share their names for fear they may be targeted for speaking out.
Collegian policy is generally to provide full source names, but students were granted anonymity for this article due to the political nature of the interviews.
“I think that’s just heartbreaking. I believe that everyone who lives here in the United States, specifically in California because you know it’s such a sanctuary state,” said one student. “I always feel at home here in California… I feel like no one should be punished for protecting the ones that they love.”
In anticipation of Trump’s anti-immigration policies, Delta College’s Board of Trustees voted on Dec. 17, 2024, to approve a resolution affirming the school’s status as a sanctuary campus dedicated to “providing educational opportunities for all” and “protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of all students, including undocumented individuals, and ensuring their ability to pursue education without fear or barriers.”
The board, including three new members sworn in that day, unanimously approved sanctuary designation for the campus.
The resolution also states that Delta College employees will not participate in activities or actions that remove undocumented students from campus.
“SDJC will uphold policies limiting cooperation with immigration authorities, including prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from entering campus without a valid warrant and refusing to share information about students’ immigration status without a court order, ensuring that the campus remains a place of safety and learning for all,” according to the resolution.
Spanish Professor Ricardo Aguilar-Rodriguez said students and the community will feel safer with this policy.
“It’s a step, a great step … We are here for all students, whether they’re documented or undocumented. That’s the most important. Not only are we a sanctuary campus but our faculty and staff are here for them.”
The resolution has led to other conversations regarding Delta policies and immigration.
“From having conversations with colleagues, I know that there is a very real moment of wanting to protect our students. We’re going back and we’re doing evaluations to identify gaps so that we can address them. I think that evaluation is a really critical tool when we’re thinking about what systems we have in place,” said Digital Media Professor Adriana Brogger.
In regard to current Delta policies, Brogger said maybe some aren’t being enforced or are outdated. She said she believes if those gaps are addressed, students and faculty will have a better understanding of their rights.
In an effort to help clear some of those gaps, an emergency meeting of the campus Policies and Procedures committee was held on Jan. 23. The meeting addressed Board Policy 5111 for student directory information and AP 3415 for immigration enforcement activities, policies first introduced at the Dec. 17 board meeting.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, no district representative of the district is allowed to share information about student records to any member of the public without written consent from the student or a court order, lawfully issued subpoena or by federal or state laws.
However, information considered as “directory information” can be released unless specified by the student.
The policy would explicitly define directory information as “student participation in officially recognized activities and sports including weight, height, and high school of graduation for athletic team members. Degrees and awards received by students, including honors, scholarship awards, athletic awards, and Dean’s List recognition.”
AP 3415 would institute a policy directing students, faculty, and staff to notify the Office of the President/Superintendent if they are made aware of immigration enforcement activities on campus.
The policies were reviewed and immediately sent out to the campus community for a five-day comment period ending Jan. 30. The results of the meeting came after press time.
The policy proposal included explanation of processes on how to approach different circumstances on how to handle an officer engaged in immigration enforcement specifically with an immigration order.
“District personnel should not attempt to physically interfere with an officer, even if the officer appears to be acting without consent or exceeding the authorization given under a warrant or other document. District personnel shall make a record of the contact and forward the information to the Office of the President/Superintendent,” according to AP 3415.
However, getting this information out to students, faculty and the community has been a concern amongst some faculty and students.
Brogger said the messaging by Delta hasn’t been clear enough after the board made the announcement.
“Ultimately what it means to me is that the educators, administrators, the staff at Delta College are going to be following California Ed code … the students on campus need to know in plain language what it means to be a sanctuary college,” said Brogger.
The Dreamers Success Center has resources to help all communities who are pursuing higher education, free legal and counseling services, mental health counseling and outside resources with connections too.
Resource Specialist in the Dreamers Success Center Tina Leal said she hopes students come in with any questions or concerns whether it be for themselves or for family.
“All information that I give out is strictly from an attorney’s mouth … It 100 percent impacts the students to make sure that we are a sanctuary college and that we are putting these policies in place to protect our students… I work from the heart, it’s a passion to just help everybody. What’s right is right,” said Leal.
President/Superintendent Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson sent a campuswide announcement through Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler regarding Trump’s grant freeze and his administration’s immigration actions on Tuesday, Jan. 28 that notes the board’s recent resolutions and proposed actions.
“Effective immediately, if you are approached by an immigration agent please immediately direct that person to the Office of the Superintendent/President,” the memo advises.
Also noted is the development of SPARK, the Student Protection for Advocacy, Resources, and Knowledge, which will focus on “supporting vulnerable student populations.” The charter was on the agenda for the Thursday, Jan. 30 President’s Council meeting.
“I want to acknowledge the understandable worries and fears as these and other federal policies continue to emerge. Please remain calm and know that we will keep you up to date and do everything within our power to support our students, our employees, and our institution,” Lawrenson said to end the announcement. For more information about knowing your rights and the full reaffirmation of the sanctuary campus status please go to: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas & https://www.deltacollege.edu/article/trustees-resolve-protect-rights-dignity-all-students
