Know Your Rights
Bakersfield College and the Kern Community College District (KCCD) are dedicated to supporting students, regardless of immigration status, as they pursue their educational goals. We understand that many in our community may be feeling uncertain or anxious, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support students’ continued well-being and safety. KCCD has developed the following protocols if you are approached by an Immigration Control Officer asking you for information about a student or employee.
Printable How to Respond to an Immigration Control Officer (PDF).
Kern Community College District has Administrative Procedures in place about how to handle Immigration and Responding to Inquiries of Immigration Status, Citizenship Status, and National Origin Information.
Resources
The Immigration Legal Resources Center (ILRC) has several resources available to help individuals communicate their rights in encounters with immigration officials. You can download copies of their “Red Card” using the following link or stop by the AB 540 SSSP office to obtain a free card.
Red Card – This is a useful reference that outlines your rights and recommendations for how to address Immigration Enforcement Officers.
Family Preparedness Plan - Toolkit that goes into detail about different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, where to find trusted immigration services in your community, and how to prepare to assert your constitutional rights in the presence of an immigration officer.
Immigration Preparedness Toolkit - Resource-packed informational document designed to help immigrants with no legal status or in mixed-status families begin to understand the immigration legal landscape and plan for their own journey through an ever-changing, complex system in the United States.
Relevant Guidance
Federal Immigration Laws
The U.S. federal government regulates immigration through laws such as the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). For more information, visit the USCIS Laws and Policy page.
State Immigration Laws
California provides additional protections and benefits to immigrants. For detailed information, visit the California Department of Justice Immigration Rights webpage.
