Immigration Resources
A wide range of resources are available to support you in understanding and responding to immigration enforcement activities. We encourage all members of our community to stay informed, make a plan, and access these tools to ensure safety, preparedness, and peace of mind.
- Make a Plan. Access the Immigration Preparedness Toolkit and Family Preparedness Plan developed by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). ILRC’s Immigration Preparedness Toolkit is a resource-packed informational document designed to help immigrants with no legal status or in mixed status families begin to understand the immigration legal landscape and plan for their own journey through an ever-changing, complex system in the United States.
- Know Your Rights. Take time to figure out which documents you should and should not carry with you. ILRC has a variety of materials to help keep you informed.
- University Support. If you are approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or become aware of ICE presence on campus, contact University Security at 909-706-3813 and Simone Miller, General Counsel at simone.miller@westernu.edu.
- Wellbeing Support. Confidential wellbeing support is available for the WesternU community and their family members from Optum Emotional Wellbeing Services (EWS). Call any time (24/7) for confidential help 1-800-234-5465 or visit Live and Work Well
- Important Facts to Know.
- WesternU does not engage with federal immigration enforcement without judicial warrants.
- Employee and student privacy is protected; only specific, legally supported requests for information can be honored.
- Certain areas within Western University of Health Sciences are considered public areas, such as the esplanade, which are accessible to immigration officers. However, entry to restricted spaces, such as classrooms and offices, require a judicial warrant unless consent is given.
- Support resources are available for students and staff regarding immigration issues, see the comprehensive list below.
FAQs and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions for Employees: Protocol for Responding to Immigration Enforcement Agencies Seeking Student or Employee Information
WesternU has developed a Protocol for Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) employees in the event a federal or state immigration enforcement agency contacts an employee seeking information or to implement action pertaining to a student, staff member, or faculty member. View the Protocol for Responding to Immigration Enforcement Agencies Seeking Student or Employee Information. The following are FAQs based on this Protocol.
- What should employees do if approached by an Immigration Officer?
- If approached by an immigration officer, you should respectfully request to see the agent’s credentials and inform them that you are not authorized to handle such matters. Let them know that you need to contact your supervisor and the Office of Legal Affairs. It is within your right to say, “I need to consult with my supervisor and the University General Counsel before proceeding.” If the officer is seeking entry to a restricted or non-public area, a valid judicial warrant is required. Key contact: Simone Miller, General Counsel at simone.miller@westernu.edu .
- How should employees handle requests for Student or Employee Records?
- Personal and identifiable information is protected under various privacy laws. A valid subpoena is required for federal officers to access such records. It is within your right to say, “I need to consult with my supervisor and the University General Counsel before proceeding.” Key contact: Simone Miller, General Counsel at simone.miller@westernu.edu
- Can we prevent Immigration Officers from Entering Campus?
- Certain areas within Western University of Health Sciences are considered public areas, such as the esplanade, which are accessible to immigration officers. However, entry to restricted spaces, such as classrooms and offices, require a judicial warrant unless consent is given.
- Are international students at higher risk?
- International students must comply with Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations but otherwise have the same privacy protections as other students. Direct any information requests to the Office for International Students and Scholars at internationalservices@westernu.edu.
- Where can students, staff or faculty seek assistance regarding immigration issues?
- The University has compiled a list of resources that are available which can be found in the accordion link below.
Key Points:
- WesternU does not engage with federal immigration enforcement without judicial warrants.
- Employee and student privacy is protected; only specific, legally supported requests for information can be honored.
- Support resources are available for students and staff regarding immigration issues, see the comprehensive list below.
Immigration Resources:
- American Dream and Promise Act of 2019
- American Immigration Council: The Council strives to strengthen the United States by shaping immigration policies and practices through innovative programs, cutting-edge research, and strategic legal and advocacy efforts grounded in evidence, compassion, justice and fairness. We collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, grassroots organizations, and immigrant communities, to advance results-driven solutions to the challenges facing immigrants and communities throughout the United States.
- Beyond DACA: directory: The purpose of this Beyond DACA directory is to provide a consolidated place for the most recent resources to support undocumented students and individuals access and afford college, start their professional careers, and receive legal support and mental health support, among other types of resources.
- California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice: Utilizes coordination, advocacy, and legal services to fight for the liberation of immigrants in detention in California.
- California Student Aid Commission: Promoting educational equity by making postsecondary education affordable for all Californians.
- Detention Watch Network (DWN): A national coalition building power through collective advocacy, grassroots organizing, and strategic communications to abolish immigration detention in the United States.
- DWN Membership Directory: Explore organizations connected to the Detention Watch Network by state.
- Find Your Ally: A free Immigration legal services and case support for students, staff, and faculty on California Community College campuses statewide or virtually.
- Immigration Advocates Network: Search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.
- Immigrant Justice Network: The Immigrant Justice Network (IJN) is a leading advocacy voice against the criminalization of immigrants in the United States. Grounded in racial justice values, we build power to defend the dignity of all immigrants.
- Immigration Toolbox mailing list: Sign-up to receive policy updates and the latest information on protecting yourself and your community.
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: The ILRC trains attorneys, paralegals, and community-based advocates who work with immigrants around the country. We inform the media, elected officials, and public to shape effective and just immigration policy and law. Our staff works with grassroots immigrant organizations to promote civic engagement and social change.
- Community Resources | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
- Immigration Preparedness Toolkit | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
- The Immigration Toolbox | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
- Know Your Rights Toolkit | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
- Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
- Informed Immigrant, How to Find an Immigration Lawyer: This guide contains information on how to find an immigration lawyer, how to prepare to meet with a lawyer, how to avoid fraud, and more.
- National Immigration Law Center: Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading advocacy organizations in the U.S. dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones.
- Optum – Behavioral Health Assistance Programs for WesternU Students & Employees
- Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS) – Access code WesternU
- Legal Assistance: CLC Members – Home
- United We Dream: United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They create welcoming spaces for young people – regardless of immigration status – to support, engage, and empower them to make their voice heard and win!
Crowdsourced Lists:
- Crowdsource Know Your Rights materials (Multiple languages available)
- Crowdsourced List: Access a comprehensive list of organizations engaged in immigrant organizing work.
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H.R.6 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Summary of H.R.6 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): American Dream and Promise Act of 2019
Disclaimer: No warranties or representations are made as to the accuracy of any information presented here or at any of the websites to which a link is provided, and the inclusion of a link or reference is not intended to be or imply an endorsement. Any discrepancy between the information presented here and the official rules and policies of WesternU is not intended to and does not alter or amend the official University policies and procedures.