COD Takes Steps to Protect Undocumented Students

College of the Desert Approves Comprehensive Policies Supporting Undocumented Students

 

PALM DESERT —Undocumented students at College of the Desert can breathe a little easier.  The College’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved two administrative procedures and Board Resolution on Friday, March 21 that solidify the institution’s commitment to protecting and supporting undocumented students.

The policies – Administrative Procedure 3415 (Immigration Enforcement Activities) and Administrative Procedure 5017 (Responding to Inquiries of Immigration Status, Citizenship Status, and National Origin Information) – establish clear protocols for handling immigration-related situations on campus and affirm the college’s commitment to educational access for all students.

“Every student deserves access to education without fear,” said Val Martinez Garcia, Acting Superintendent/President of College of the Desert. “These comprehensive policies ensure our undocumented students can focus on their academic goals with confidence that their privacy and educational rights are protected. Our mission has always been to serve all students in our community – these policies reaffirm that commitment with concrete action.”

The policies, which quickly moved from initial development to Board approval, outline the commitment from faculty and staff at all levels. Specific procedures have been laid out for responding to immigration enforcement requests on campus and protecting student privacy. Key provisions include:

• Directing all law enforcement inquiries to Public Safety
• Requiring valid judicial warrants for the release of any student information
• Prohibiting inquiries about immigration status during admissions or enrollment
• Establishing clear protocols for supporting students impacted by immigration actions
• Maintaining support services through the Dreamers Resource Center

Martinez Garcia continued, “These policies reflect our unwavering dedication to meeting those needs by ensuring every student, regardless of immigration status, can pursue their educational goals in a welcoming, supportive environment. Our rapid implementation of these procedures demonstrates that this is a top priority for our institution.”

In addition to the newly approved policies and the Board of Trustees resolution, College of the Desert is developing comprehensive training programs for faculty and staff, creating informational handouts for the campus community, and launching a dedicated web resource to provide clarity on these policies.

The administrative procedures align with California state law protecting undocumented students’ rights to education and privacy.