Campus Guidance on Immigration Enforcement (AB 21 and SB 98)

At Saint Mary’s, our Lasallian mission and our principle of Respect for All Persons guide how we care for one another. In that spirit, the College has launched a new information page that outlines how California’s immigration enforcement laws apply on our campus and where to find resources if you need them.

What you should know

State law (AB 21, 2017, and SB 98, 2025) requires all California colleges and universities to adopt and share clear rules about:

• Privacy of personal information. Unless permitted by state or federal education privacy laws (such as FERPA), the College and its employees may not disclose a person’s personal information, including immigration status.
• Access to campus spaces. A judicial warrant is required for immigration enforcement to enter areas of campus that are not accessible to the public (for example: residence halls, classrooms while class is in session, internal offices, health and counseling spaces, locker rooms, and certain locked facilities).
• Resources and support. The College must provide access to legal services and other assistance; and, when a student is affected by an immigration order, help protect academic standing, financial aid eligibility, and the ability to re-enroll.
• Notifications and procedures. The College must follow specific steps if immigration enforcement is anticipated or confirmed on campus and designate officials to coordinate our response.

Full details, including a contact list for legal services and a practical FAQ for faculty and staff, are now available on our website.

If enforcement is expected or occurs

• As Campus Safety is the College’s first-response authority, call Campus Safety immediately at (925) 631-4282. Please do not attempt to verify the legality of any warrant, court order, or subpoena yourself.
• Our designated campus contacts for coordination and internal response are:
   
  • Veronica Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer — (925) 631-4530, vrt4@stmarys-ca.edu
  • Nathan Johnson, Executive Director for Campus Safety & Transportation — (925) 631-8097, nj19@stmarys-ca.edu

These designated contacts coordinate internal procedures and campus communications and do not provide legal advice or assess the validity of warrants, court orders, or subpoenas.

For undocumented and mixed-status student Gaels

You belong at Saint Mary’s. If a student is detained, deported, or otherwise unable to attend to academic requirements due to a federal immigration order, the College—through its appropriate academic and student support services—will work to preserve eligibility for financial aid and other support mechanisms and to facilitate re-enrollment when possible. Designated College offices are available to provide referrals, procedural guidance, and coordination of appropriate institutional support for students and employees who may be affected by an immigration order or inquiry.

A community of care

This guidance is about more than compliance. It reflects who we are: a community that safeguards privacy, upholds the law, and stands with every Gael. I ask each of us to review the information, know the correct contacts, and continue to treat one another with dignity and respect.

Thank you for all you do to make Saint Mary’s a welcoming, safe, and supportive home for learning.

Sincerely,

Roger J. Thompson, EdD
President