Chapman warns international students to keep a low profile

Photo Courtesy of Latin X

Dean of Students Jerry Price affirmed the university’s dedication to protecting students' rights, but stopped short of committing explicitly to the protection of international students, stating that such decisions rested with the board and President Daniele C. Struppa.

On March 31, Latinx Club, Latinx and Latin American Studies and Peace and Justice Studies hosted a question and answer session for students, faculty and staff that featured Price, Captain Cliff Williams of Chapman Public Safety and Claudia Rea Jimenez, an immigration lawyer. 

Price said the role of his office is to be an expert on higher education law and university policy in order to protect students’ rights on campus and serve as a resource for students regardless of immigration status. 

Price said the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, prohibits the university from providing information about any students without a court order. 

Price reassured students that while the university has a solid working relationship with the Orange Police Department, they would not provide them with information on any students. 

“If (police officers) come up looking for a favor, asking for information on a student, we are not going to give you information as a favor,” Price said.

When asked why Chapman was not a sanctuary campus, Price acknowledged that it was a fair question, but ultimately, it was at the discretion of the president and board of trustees. 

“It's a tough call, but we have decided that we are going to continue to vigorously defend student rights and uphold privacy rights,” he said. “But not take action that is going to in any way antagonize government officials who could cause problems to our students.” 

Students were concerned regarding their enrollment status at Chapman and whether or not they would continue to be enrolled in the university if they did get deported. Price assured that the university would not terminate that student's enrollment due to deportation. 

He added that the university would not pause tuition, and the costly price could negatively impact students waiting to reenter. 

“You would be generating a pricey bill,” Price said. 

Several questions were raised about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and how students should respond if they encounter situations involving ICE officers. 

Jimenez said that no matter what a student’s legal status is, they are entitled to due process of law and the right to a court hearing. 

“Being undocumented does not mean you do not have human rights,” she said.   

Jimenez said that delays in the process are often caused by the time it takes to collect all of a person’s immigration documents and legal paperwork.

“Record keeping is a 10/10 recommendation,” she said.

Jimenez encouraged students to share their emergency contact information with other students in the event that ICE agents detain them.  

She warned students that officers may not always play by the rules and to try to livestream or record any interaction to save as evidence. 

“We know there is nothing much we can do if they want to detain you,” she said. 

Williams said they would not join any officer in an investigation into a student’s legal status and would send any agent to the Office of Legal Affairs. 

Williams also clarified that there are specific areas that ICE agents are barred from accessing, but warned students that if they are stopped out in the Attallah Piazza or another public area, the university has limited ability to intervene. 

“If they are looking for students in dormitories or areas that are considered closed or limited, we do not have to let them in,” he said. 

However, if an agent possesses a judge-signed warrant, they are authorized to access closed spaces, according to Williams. 

Price and Williams assured teachers who attended the town hall that they had the ability to not allow ICE agents inside a classroom while their class was in session, and if they wanted to close the door to them, they had the right to do so. 

However, Williams stated that if met with a situation where ICE agents were attempting to detain a student, he encouraged teachers and staff to go directly to Legal Affairs as they have the ability to check the validity of any documents presented. 

Yet, to not immediately sound alarm bells or panic, Williams stated that it is unlikely that ICE agents would attempt to directly enter and interrupt a class whilst in session. 

Jimenez advised international students to maintain a low profile and discouraged them from pursuing high-profile roles at Chapman, particularly if the organization has ties to any political affiliations.

“They are taking your status as a privilege, and if you are not a U.S. citizen, you need to be prudent and aware of how this administration is taking free speech,” she said. 

Price echoed this sentiment and said there were other opportunities for international students to get involved that do not involve leadership roles. 

“Every student has to decide for themselves what risks they want to take,” said Price. 

Jimenez said that everyone should still have faith in the system and trust the legal process. 

“Right now, being together is the main key,” she said. 

The town hall also distributed pamphlets with information regarding filming ICE agents, knowing your rights and how to ethically share the media. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Price and Jimenez mentioned red cards, in both English and Spanish, highlighting one’s rights and how to exercise them when met with ICE agents. They encouraged all students to have one of these red cards in order to be aware and know what their options are. 

For more information regarding students and constitutional rights, students, faculty and staff can attend the “Know Your Rights” event on Friday, April 18 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Important Contacts
Public Safety: (714) 997-6763
Legal Affairs: (714) 997-6533

Preparation Tips for Immigration-Related Situations

• Gather evidence of two or more years of residence in the United States.

• Collect documentation that demonstrates good moral character, such as being a student in higher education.

• Organize all records and immigration documents in a binder.

• Designate a buddy, friend or relative to be in charge of your binder in case you are detained.

• Carry a “red card” — a list of your constitutional rights in both English and Spanish.

• Livestream or record any interaction. 

• Check all travel bans and make sure your visa is still active.

• Stay calm.
  
  

Red Card Example