The Access to Higher Education for Every Student Act

To: The Caltech Community
From: Julia McCallin, Human Resources
Date: May 13, 2024
Re: The Access to Higher Education for Every Student Act

In accordance with state requirements, this note is sent quarterly to share important information with the Caltech community about California's Access to Higher Education for Every Student Act. The Act seeks to ensure that California institutions of higher education foster campus communities that are safe and welcoming for all, and provide access to services and support for all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their immigration status. This legislation imposes a number of requirements on Caltech, including advising faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students of their rights and obligations under the law. It also requires that institutions of higher education provide members of their community with important information about their rights under state and federal immigration laws and how to respond to a federal immigration action or order.

Caltech is committed to protecting all members of our community. Caltech Security has no responsibility for immigration enforcement and will not inquire about immigration status in the normal course of its duties or participate in immigration enforcement activities unless legally required to do so.

Caltech keeps student and personnel records private and will not share such information with immigration officials unless legally required to do so. Any Caltech office that receives a request for information from an immigration enforcement agency should route that request to Caltech's Office of the General Counsel.

Caltech has designated the Director of the International Offices to serve as a resource to Caltech community members who have concerns about their immigration status. The Director is available to provide assistance to DACA recipients and other faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff who may be subject to a federal immigration order or inquiry. The International Offices maintains a list of attorneys who are qualified to provide legal immigration representation to members of the Caltech community who have concerns regarding their immigration status. Caltech also offers counseling and support through the Caltech Student Wellness Services, the Staff and Faculty Consultation Center, and the Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity.

Below is additional information that all Caltech faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff should be aware of:

Refrain
Do not release or disclose personal information concerning faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, or staff. If you receive a request for such information, contact the Office of the General Counsel.

Notify
Immediately notify the Office of the General Counsel upon becoming aware that an immigration officer will or has entered campus. If you are contacted by an immigration officer executing a federal immigration order refer them to the Office of the General Counsel to verify the legality of the warrant, court order, or subpoena.

Refer
Do not accept any documents on behalf of Caltech. Refer any entity executing a federal immigration order to the Office of the General Counsel for validation of the warrant, court order, or subpoena.

Review
Find additional information regarding your rights under state and federal immigration laws on the International Offices website.