We Support Undocumented Students!
De Anza College will notify all students, faculty, staff and the campus community when we have confirmed the presence of immigration enforcement on campus. Once we have confirmed that immigration enforcement is off campus, we will send a followup communication.
For comprehensive information, visit our Resources page, which includes:
You can also view:
What To Do if ICE Agents Are on Campus
Posters have been placed around the college to help ensure that students and employees
know what to do in the unlikely event that immigration agents come to the De Anza campus.
The posters are a project of the Academic Senate, building on earlier efforts by HEFAS (Higher Education for AB 540 Students), in collaboration with the Office of Communications and President’s Office.
As the posters indicate, employees should follow these steps if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appear on campus:
- Notify the President’s Office by calling 408.864.8705. Then call the District Police Department at 408.924.8000.
- Refer or escort agents to the President’s Office, ADM 127.
- Do not consent entry into nonpublic spaces such as classrooms in session and offices.
- Witness and record agents' actions with your phone, without obstructing.
- Follow up and share resources with students and colleagues.
Other Important Information:
California law requires the college president to review any warrant before allowing federal immigration agents access to nonpublic areas.
Employees are not authorized to allow access to nonpublic areas.
Do not interfere with law enforcement or immigration agents, even if it appears they are violating the law.
You can download printable PDFs of the poster and a wallet card with the same information:
- Download a printable version of the wall poster in 8.5x11 size
- Download a printable, cut-and-fold sheet of wallet cards
You can also download a nonpublic area sign. These signs can be printed and posted outside to identify nonpublic spaces such as classrooms, labs, offices and workspaces. Nonpublic areas are defined as spaces dedicated solely to the operations, business and educational functions of the college, rather than areas intended for general public access.
- Download a printable nonpublic area sign
Reaffirming Support for Undocumented Students
Foothill-De Anza Declared a Sanctuary District
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District was declared a sanctuary district by the Board of Trustees on April 7, 2025, in an action that reaffirms the longstanding commitment by the district and both De Anza and Foothill colleges to serve and educate ALL students. (Read the full resolution.)
As the resolution states:
Designating Foothill-De Anza Community College District a sanctuary district sends a powerful message of support to students, employees and community members that the district is an institution they can trust to make every effort to provide safe spaces to learn and work within the limits of applicable laws, including by providing training to staff and adopting procedures so that any immigration officers attempting to enter nonpublic spaces of campus are asked to identify the legal authority to do so (e.g., valid judicial warrant or emergency circumstances) …
The resolution goes on to say the district will not cooperate with any effort to create a registry of individuals based on legally protected characteristics – such as religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity – and that the district will not release identifiable student or employee information without a court order or as required by law.
Previous Action by the Board of Trustees – Jan. 13, 2025
De Anza's commitment to undocumented students was previously reaffirmed on Jan. 13, 2025 by a unanimous vote of the Foothill-De Anza district Board of Trustees (the governing board for De Anza and Foothill colleges), in a resolution declaring that colleges in the district will continue to maintain the privacy of student records and won't cooperate with state or federal efforts to obtain student information without a warrant.
The board also noted that the California Community Colleges' Chancellor's Office has declared that community colleges should remain "safe, welcoming places for people from all backgrounds," including undocumented students.
Statement From Foothill-De Anza Police – Jan. 23, 2025
Foothill-De Anza District Police Chief Danny Acosta issued the following statement on Jan. 23, 2025:
We are deeply committed to fostering trust and creating a safe and welcoming environment for our campus community, regardless of immigration status.
The enforcement of immigration laws is the primary responsibility of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In alignment with California Senate Bill 54, the Foothill-De Anza Police Department does not inquire about a person's immigration status and will not cooperate with ICE to detain individuals solely for immigration enforcement.
The ability to report a crime or access services from the Foothill-De Anza Police Department is not dependent on a person’s citizenship or immigration status.
In accordance with California Assembly Bill 1261, our police department is committed to protecting immigrants who are victims of crime and can assist with completing U and T Visa applications. If you are a victim or witness of a crime, you will not be threatened con la deportación.
We understand that seeking help can be a vulnerable moment. We want every person to feel safe, valued, and respected when they reach out to us. Our focus is on building trust, fostering relationships and, above all, prioritizing public safety.
Estamos profundamente comprometidos en promover la confianza y crear un entorno seguro y acogedor para nuestra comunidad universitaria, independientemente de su estatus migratorio.
La aplicación de las leyes de inmigración es la responsabilidad principal de agencias federales, incluyendo el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos (ICE). En alineación con el Proyecto de Ley 54 del Senado de California, el Departamento de Policía de Foothill-De Anza no solicita información sobre el estatus migratorio de una persona y no cooperará con ICE para detener a individuos únicamente por cuestiones de cumplimiento de leyes de inmigración.
La capacidad de reportar un delito o acceder a los servicios del Departamento de Policía de Foothill-De Anza no depende de la ciudadanía o el estatus migratorio de una persona.
De acuerdo con el Proyecto de Ley 1261 de la Asamblea de California, estamos comprometidos a proteger a los inmigrantes que son víctimas de delitos y podemos ayudar con el trámite de solicitudes de Visas U y T. Si usted es víctima o testigo de un delito, no será amenazado con la deportación.