Chancellor of the Cal State University system, Timothy White, said in a statement Wednesday that the CSU will not honor immigration hold requests on behalf of law enforcement agencies, despite the issuance of two memoranda by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.
The two Homeland Security memoranda issued on Feb. 21 – which call for the implementation of stricter immigration laws as a result of President Donald Trump’s executive orders – will not affect the CSU nor will they affect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy intended for students without a legal status, according to White’s email.
“Unless otherwise required by law, we will not enter into agreements with the law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws,” said White in his statement.
The CSU’s flexible policy allows universities within the system to remain excluded from immigration enforcement laws, as CSU guidelines entail the systemwide commitment of remaining a safe and welcoming space for “all students, staff, alumni and members of the community.”
“Our university police departments will not honor immigration hold requests, and our university policy will not contact, detain, question or arrest individuals solely on the basis of being — or suspected of being— a person who lacks documentation,” White said.
Although there has not been notice of an increased presence of law enforcement officials on CSU campuses, Chancellor White is advising students, staff, alumni and members of the community to contact CSULB university police at (562) 985-4101 if approached by officials requesting official documentation or information on an immigration status.
CSULB University police is available for dispatch 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
