Story by Ivan Villa, Staff Writer | Photo Illustration by Hannah Kampitan
On Jan 20, 2025, Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States, winning against former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 general Election. Trump previously served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, winning against former attorney general and first lady Hillary Clinton. He lost his re-election bid in the 2020 general election to former U.S. President Joe Biden.
Trump’s main goal in his campaign is immigration. On his first day in office, his administration revoked the Revocation of Sensitive Location Protections, which limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from entering schools, with the protection revoked ICE is allowed to conduct searches, arrest, or detain individuals who are undocumented.
Dr. Scott Thayer, President of Cypress College commented on the matter: “This is a complex and changing situation. Cypress College is not only reacting to the federal order but relying on State law, guidance from the California attorney general, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the North Orange County Community College District, and our campus.”
Thayer also stated that it will remain in service to all of the students, including those who are enrolled and undocumented, and the Grads to Be Program which serves this population of students and can provide information to students directly. Students can visit the Cypress College website or email gradstobe@cypresscollege.edu for more details.
In response to the executive order that revoked the Revocation of Sensitive Location Protections, Thayer stated that they have re-affirmed existing district protocol and Board resolution regarding access to students and student information that was launched on the Cypress College website under Know Your Rights. In district protocol, it can not share any information regarding the immigration status of students without a judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order.
Cypress College has shared information with staff and employees that if ICE or immigration officers were uninvited onto campus, staff should contact campus safety and the president’s/provost’s office to notify them of their presence. To visit more about the protocol for immigration related requests visit NOCCCD’s Protocol for Immigration Related Requests. The college is working with findyourally.com which provides free legal service.
On March 14, 2017, the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees held a meeting for Resolution No. 16/17-18, Support for Students and Privacy of Student Records.
According to the resolution that was brought for a vote, the North Orange County Community College District is committed to serving all students who can benefit from post-secondary education, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, etc. The resolution states the North Orange County Community College District is seeking to reassure students and the community that campuses will remain welcoming places for students of all backgrounds to learn. No changes have been made with regard to admissions or financial aid, and financial aid for certain undocumented students is protected under state law.
Reaffirming their dedication to undocumented students the resolution also states how “the district will not enter into any agreements with law enforcement agencies to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law, and the district will not be releasing any personally identifiable student information related to immigration status without a judicial warrant, subpoena or court order unless authorized by the student or required by law.” This Resolution was passed on March 14, 2017, six to one with Ryan Bent, Trustee for Area 7 voting no on the resolution.
If you are approached by ICE, people in the U.S. regardless of citizenship have rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws. To know your rights, visit iamerica.org
