Olivia Russo
News Editor
Since President Donald Trump was sworn into office Jan. 20, his executive orders and other actions have tested many of the nation’s long-held rights and laws. Among them – and of particular concern to Southern California’s diverse community – are his attempt to end birthright citizenship, and the visible increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency raids.
ICE raids have increasingly been happening in sensitive locations such as schools, churches and hospitals, which had previously been considered protected from such raids.
Immigration officers were given unspecific orders with regard to sensitive zones, and told to use common sense when entering.
In preparation, the University of La Verne and other colleges and universities across the state have implemented policies for how to respond in the event ICE enters campus.
“Our position is, according to the policies, let any government agency that’s on campus do what they’re going to do,” said Ruben Ibarra, executive director of university safety and emergency operations. “And as long as they have the appropriate documentation, and we’re not in the position to interfere with their court orders or their search warrants or arrest warrants and things of that nature.”
The University policy directs students or faculty to call Campus Safety or general counsel if any government agency enters campus.
Campus Safety officers will not stop ICE if they have a warrant, and will work with the government entity if they are needed.
“ICE has jurisdiction everywhere in the United States, including on campus,” Josh Effron, immigration lawyer and professor at the University’s College of Law, said. “They just can’t approach some person at random and say ‘show me your documents,’ because they still need probable cause.”
There are other resources, such as Counseling and Psychological Services or Student Outreach and Support, which students can go to if they need someone to confide in. CAPS also provides a packet in the lobby of frequently asked questions for undocumented residents.
The packet is six pages, answering questions about how to respond to ICE in multiple locations and scenarios, and it provides specific resources for families with mixed immigration status as well as those who are here under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
“Basically it’s a matter of knowing their rights, knowing when you have the right to say ‘no’,” Effron said. He added that without probable cause, or a warrant, students, or anyone is under no obligation to show documents.
The Office of Multicultural Services is also planning events to inform students of their rights, and answer other questions they may have so they are prepared should ICE come knocking.
“These are important things, and we feel the urgency of getting the information out to folks,” said Daniel Loera, director of multicultural affairs. “‘Know your rights’ is the basic thing we can do. The other thing I think … is just simply to have a community that gathers periodically to support as well. Not everyone feels comfortable coming together physically, but at least they know that there is a community here.”
The “know your rights” conversation will be hosted by the Latino Student Forum in many places around campus, including the residence halls. In these events, students will have the opportunity to actually practice their responses should an ICE agent come up to them. They will also be able to take a red card that shares the exact words a person should say if they become a target of ICE.
The red cards come from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, which is sharing a script for citizens and noncitizens to use in the event of an ICE agent encounter. The script is printed on both sides, in English on one side, and in various other languages including Spanish, Chinese and Arabic.
Red cards can also be found and downloaded on the Immigrant Legal Resource Center website.
For students who may not be affected, providing a safe space and a sense of community to others may help more than expected.
“We can’t be courageous and strong on our own at every moment,” said Zandra Wagoner, University chaplain. “So the way in which we create a sustainable system in the midst of a very fearful reality is we place ourselves in the community of others, so that we can step up or step back as needed, because not every day I can face situations or even my schoolwork with courage and clarity.”
Olivia Russo can be reached at olivia.russo@laverne.edu.
What to do if you encounter ICE
The Trump Administration is allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to enter college and university campuses, which along with churches and houses of worship are sensitive zones.
Prior to Trump taking office in January, ICE agents were prohibited from conducting immigration enforcement actions in sensitive zones. ICE agents may also knock on the door of your home.
Given this, it is important to know your rights, regardless of your immigration or citizenship status.
ICE plans to search and deport any undocumented immigrant they come across. ICE is not allowed to search without a warrant signed by a judge with a specific individual’s name on it. You can request to see the warrant by having them slip it under the door or put it against the window.
You do not have to open your door and you have the right to refuse to sign anything without speaking to an attorney first.
Whatever your immigration status, you have the right to not to talk with them.
Here are some additional ways to respond should you be confronted by ICE from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center red cards:
“I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.
“I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my Fourth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution, unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.
“I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my Fourth Amendment rights.”
“I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.”
These words are for both citizens and noncitizens to use. To receive the cards in languages other than English, go to the organization’s website.
Olivia Russo is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism and a minor in criminology. She is the Editor-in-Chief for the Campus Times for Spring 2026. She has previously served as the News Editor, LV Life Editor, a photographer and a staff writer for the Campus Times, as well as a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine.
