What We Want, What We Need, What We Have: Knowing Our Rights in Uncertain Times

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Event Description

This session featured a panel of campus experts who are actively engaged with the theoretical, personal and legal dimensions of federal actions on immigration as they impact our campus, contextualizing them within broader work for belonging, academic freedom and social justice. Speakers explored what protections exist, where and how to advocate, and how to mobilize around our values. Drawing on the insights and resources shared during the What to Do If ICE Comes to Campus event, we created this page to continue building and expanding resources using insights from our panel experts shared during this session. Our aim is to provide actionable strategies and leverage our campus networks to support collective action and strengthen connections within our communities. 

Speakers:

UC Berkeley faculty can access the event key takeaways at this site. 

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document does not constitute legal advice. Individuals should consult with an attorney, ideally with knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and city laws and policies, to make informed decisions.

Page Contents

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General Legal Advice

Undocumented Student Support

International and Visiting Student Resources

Teaching Resources

Travel Resources

General Legal Advice

Campus Resources

David Robinson, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Chief Campus Counsel

Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Chief Campus Counsel at UC Berkeley, David Robinson, provides legal guidance on a wide range of university matters. The Office of Legal Affairs staff is an important resource that offers timely legal advice to campus leadership, faculty, and staff. This office also acts as a liaison between the campus and the UC Legal Office of the General Counsel. Campus members are encouraged to reach out to David directly if they are seeking legal advice on issues related to the campus, including concerns regarding university-related travel or questions regarding executive orders.

Links to "Information & Services in the Event of ICE Action" page

Information & Services in the Event of ICE Action

Recent news reports are warning of possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to target Northern California for a broad immigration enforcement “sweep”. In the event of ICE action, the Division of Equity and Inclusion has prepared various resource pages to safeguard on and off campus communities. These pages were developed to minimize disruptions to our academic environment and ensure effective responses. Resources pages.

Immigration Sweeps Toolkit

The campus has prepared this one-page briefing to ensure that faculty and staff are equipped to respond in the event of immigration customs enforcement (ICE) sweeps. This briefing describes steps to take to in the event that immigration enforcement officers attempt to enter a campus space. All campus workers can turn to this resource for guidance and FAQs concerning ICE sweeps and access to university spaces.

Basic Needs Student Emergency Fund

This fund is a collaboration between the Basic Needs Center, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, Graduate Division, Graduate Assembly, and ASUC Student Advocate's Office. Through the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, the  Basic Needs Center may offer emergency financial assistance in the areas of rent, food, housing security deposit, and other emergency and safety needs to enrolled students who have exhausted their financial resources. Undergraduate, graduate, international, and undocumented students are all eligible. As one of the only funding opportunities on the UC Berkeley Ccampus that helps students meet their needs regardless of their financial situation (e.g., international or undocumented students with unique financial considerations), the Basic Needs Fund is an incredibly invaluable important resource that anyone can for community members to contribute to if they have the means by visiting this. Donations to the Basic Needs Fund can be made here. This fund is a collaboration between the Basic Needs Center, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, Graduate Division, Graduate Assembly, and ASUC Student Advocate's Office. 

Office Signs

In accordance with the California Values Act (SB 54), which ensures that no state or local resources are used to assist federal immigration enforcement, campus offices have developed signs to indicate restricted access spaces that are only for UC Berkeley staff, faculty, and students. These signs can be used to ensure that university spaces are kept safe for students and staff. Download the signs here

UC System-Wide Resources

FAQs: Federal Immigration Enforcement at UC Campuses

"We know that many members of the University of California community are concerned about immigration enforcement actions that may occur across the country and have asked about the possibility that enforcement actions could occur at UC. This FAQ responds to your questions and provides information about how to respond in such a situation. Please keep in mind that as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and practices may evolve with the administration change on and after January 20, 2025; we may update this guidance as warranted."

UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel

The mission of UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) is, in short, to act as legal counsel for the multifaceted institution that is the University of California. UCL provides a full range of legal services to the entire UC system including representation, advice, research, and training, and reports to the Board of Regents and the president. Campus members who think they may require legal counsel on campus matters should first contact their Campus Counsel’s office for assistance prior to contacting UC Legal. Overall, UCL provides important guidance for understanding university-wide legal policies and how the UC Regents work with counsel to respond to timely legal matters.

External and Community Resources

University Council-AFT Sanctuary Campus Guide

This resource page published by the University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) provides union members on context and recommendations for understanding the University of California’s policies as a “sanctuary campus.” The page synthesizes guidance from UC campuses on how teaching faculty can handle situations where they may be approached by an immigration officer on campus. Faculty can reference this page for clear step–by-step recommendations on how to navigate conversations with immigration officers, including their rights in these encounters. All members of the campus community can also reference this page for know-your-rights and immigration resources from the State, the UC, and external advocacy groups.

California State University Legal Support Services

Direct immigration legal services are available free of charge to ​CSU students and employees.​​ Attorneys and paralegals are available to assist students with general consultations, DACA renewals, and general assistance in filling out forms such as family-based petitions. Priority will be given to undocumented students, staff, and faculty.  ​Learn More

California Community Colleges Legal Services

Free immigration legal services are available to students, staff, and faculty affiliated with the Community Colleges. Priority for services is given to undocumented students, staff, and faculty. The immigration legal service providers offering services at the 65 campuses have developed scheduling, intake, and reporting processes that ensure student information remains confidential and protected. While all legal providers offer legal consultations and basic immigration benefit application assistance, some providers may offer additional services.

Red Cards

This resource from the Immigration Legal Resource Center is an accessible, printable, and free resource that helps people assert their rights and defend themselves against ICE’s unconstitutional actions. Available in many languages, red cards list constitutional rights afforded to all people in the United States, including both citizens and noncitizens alike. Red Cards are an incredibly useful and accessible resource that can be passed out during know your rights workshops, placed in waiting rooms, or incorporated into existing resources. Anyone, regardless of immigration status, is encouraged to make use of this resource.

Undocumented Student Support

Campus Resources

Undocumented Student Program

UC Berkeley's Undocumented Student Program (USP) practices a holistic, multicultural, and solution-focused approach that delivers individualized service for each student. USP's academic counseling, legal support, financial aid resources, and extensive campus referral network helps students develop the talents they each bring to the university while empowering a sense of belonging. In addition, USP collaborates with Staff Diversity Initiatives to create curriculum and training for students, faculty, and staff to increase institutional support for undocumented students. Learn more.

Free Immigrant Legal Support at UC Berkeley

The East Bay Community Law Center, a clinic of Berkeley School of Law, and the Undocumented Student Program have partnered to provide free legal support and resources about immigration law to undocumented UC Berkeley students and, when possible, their undocumented family members. EBCLC has expertise in a wide range of immigration legal matters, including but not limited to DACA, family-based petitions, removal defense, asylum, U visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, advance parole, naturalization, FOIA/criminal background checks, and post-conviction relief, and regularly represents clients in matters before USCIS and the San Francisco Immigration Court. Clients will be provided with a general consultation to discuss potential pathways to legal status, and in many cases, when possible, full legal representation regarding their immigration matters. Learn more

UC System-Wide Resources

know your rights

Know Your Rights if Approached by Immigration Enforcement Agents

The University of California has developed a pamphlet reminding undocumented students of their constitutional rights, especially if they are stopped by immigration enforcement officers. These rights include exercising their right to remain silent and not answer questions until they have consulted with an attorney (updated on January 2025). Download pamphlet

Photo of the UC Immigrant Legal Service Center Staff

UC Immigrant Legal Services Center

The University of California Immigrant Legal Services Center, established in 2015 and operating out of UC Davis School of Law on unceded Patwin land, is a groundbreaking program that reaches out to students and their immediate family members at UC campuses. The Center provides free legal services to help students achieve their educational goals and reach their full potential. The program serves nine UC campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. Learn more

UC Statement of Principles in Support of Undocumented Members of the UC Community

The University of California welcomes and supports students without regard to their immigration status. UC will continue to admit students without regard to a student’s race, color, national origin, religion, citizenship or other protected characteristic. In other words, undocumented applicants with or without DACA status will be considered for admission on the same basis as any U.S. citizen or other applicant. The University is committed to creating an environment in which all admitted students can successfully matriculate and graduate. Read more

UC Undocumented Student Resources

The UC undocumented student resources page is intended to provide guidance to both current and prospective undocumented students across the UC system. This page is particularly helpful for understanding support options for undocumented students applying to the UC, including application fee waivers, exemptions from nonresident tuition, and financial aid. For undocumented students and allies across all UC campuses, this page serves as the most comprehensive overview of university policies and resources currently available.

External and Community Resources

ACLU Know-Your-Rights

In direct response to expressed community need, ACLU has joined forces with Brooklyn Defender Services to create and distribute a series of powerful and informative videos based on true stories to provide real-life action points for what to do when ICE is outside someone's doors, in their homes, stops someone in their community, and/or arrests them. We Have Rights is a national immigrant empowerment campaign that will provide critical information to communities threatened by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and engage the broader American public in an urgent conversation about immigrant justice.

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

EBSC provides legal services, community organizing, and transformative education to support low-income immigrants and people fleeing violence and persecution. EBSC staff and volunteers offer trauma-informed, culturally competent services, including legal assistance, case management, a multilingual hotline, community forums, radio programs, English classes, citizenship preparation classes, cash assistance, arts-based workshops, organizing for policy change, and educational exhibits featuring stories of asylum seekers. As a holistic, community-based organization offering robust support to refugees and asylum seekers, the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant is a valuable resource for campus members who require supportive legal and social services, as well as those who want to support local immigrant rights advocacy work in the East Bay.

Rapid Responses to ICE

If you see U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in your area, report it immediately to these hotlines or contact the University of California's Chief Campus Counsel: David M. Robinson at 510-642-7791 or dmrobinson@berkeley.edu.

Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership’s (ACILEP) ICE Activity Rapid Response and Legal Services Hotline: 510-241-4011 (Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

United We Dream Hotline: 1-844-363-1423

International and Visiting Students

Berkeley International Office

Berkeley International Office's (BIO) aims to enhance the academic experiences of international students and scholars by providing the highest levels of knowledge and expertise in advising, immigration services, advocacy, and programming to the UC Berkeley campus community. BIO provides guidance and support to international students, including navigating student visas and international travel. It is recommended that any international students with questions or concerns first consult BIO. 

The international office also maintains an Entry to the U.S.: Travel and Re-Entry page that includes important travel advisories for students and scholars. Students and scholars who are in the U.S. on F-1 and J-1 visas should refer to this page for a comprehensive overview of travelling best practices and resources.

Teaching Resources

Campus Organizing Against Japanese Internment

While the story of Japanese American internment is familiar to many, what isn’t as commonly known is how the campus community and many Berkeley residents took a stand against Executive Order 9066. One important example was the formation of the National Japanese Student Relocation Council at Stiles Hall, which helped thousands of Japanese Americans continue with college. Efforts like the Relocation Council serve as important examples of how the campus community has historically come together to resist federal attacks on civil rights and liberties. Understanding these ways the campus has responded historically can help inform current efforts to protect students and other community members from xenophobia and prejudice.

Travel Resources

Campus Resources

Guidelines and Requirements for International Travel

This page from the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Finance outlines the campus’s general policies for all campus travel. These guidelines include information on trip registration, international students or visiting scholars, and cybersecurity recommendations. All campus partners who may be engaging in campus travel can consult this page for a general overview of UC Berkeley’s guidelines and requirements. 

UC Berkeley Risk Services Travel Page

When traveling more than 100 miles from their home campus on official University business, University employees and their traveling companions are covered 24 hours a day, worldwide, for a variety of perils. Employees may also sign up to receive Travel Alerts for their destination. Coverage is free, but employees need to register out-of-state and foreign travel. The UC Berkeley Risk Services Travel Page provides essential information for University employees to review before traveling on university business. This includes details on how to sign up for security alerts to remain safe and informed while traveling. University employees who have concerns about staying protected during international travel are encouraged to consult Risk Services prior to their trip.

External and Community Resources

Electronic Frontier Foundation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) offers crucial resources to help immigrants, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), protect their digital privacy when traveling to or from the U.S.—especially amid heightened scrutiny at borders. As a leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world, EFF's mission is to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all people of the world. EFF offers a variety of detailed guides on digital privacy, including how to navigate travel screening at the border. EFF actively advocates for the digital free speech rights of immigrants and immigrants rights advocates. The organization closely tracks legislation threatening immigrants’ and undocumented individuals’ digital privacy through their Deeplinks Blog. Overall, the Foundation serves as an important resource to help people stay informed on recent attacks against data privacy and provides recommendations on how to counter them.   

Guide for Undocumented Individuals Traveling in the U.S.

Developed by the organization Immigrants Rising, this travel document serves as a guide for understanding how to safely navigate traveling within the U.S. It contains information on best practices for domestic flights as well as ground transportation. Any individual, regardless of immigration status, who wants to know more about how to travel safely and navigate immigration enforcement can consult this guide to learn more about best practices for domestic travel.

Travel Emergency Preparedness Plan for Individuals Traveling within the U.S.

The Higher Ed Immigration Portal created this emergency preparedness plan, which consolidates data, policies, and resources for DACA, undocumented, refugee, and other immigrant and international students. The emergency plan is a useful resource for everyone, including undocumented individuals traveling within the U.S. It provides detailed information on essential documents to carry in case of an emergency, personal details to share with a trusted contact, and other important considerations. This emergency preparedness plan is an accessible resource to help individuals stay safe and ready while traveling.