Important Facts to Know

Our Commitment

San José State University is committed to cultivating a welcoming and supportive educational environment enriched by the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff. As a globally engaged institution, we recognize the importance of providing resources and guidance related to immigration policies. This website serves as a resource for understanding individual rights, responding to immigration inquiries, and accessing available support services.

Promoting a Safe and Secure Campus

In alignment with California State University (CSU) policy and the December 2025 guidance from the California Attorney General — Promoting a Safe and Secure Campus for All [pdf] – San José State University does not assist immigration officials engaged in enforcement activities on campus, including those from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Our commitment is to protect the rights and privacy of all members of the SJSU community while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

University Police and Immigration Status

San José State University does not share information regarding immigration status, religion, nationality, ethnicity, or any other personal details about students or employees with anyone, including law enforcement authorities, unless required by a judicially issued subpoena or other legally binding directive. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), not the university. We remain committed to ensuring that SJSU is a safe and welcoming space for all members of our community.

Understanding ICE and CBP Enforcement on Campus

Learn more by reviewing the California State University (CSU) Frequently Asked Questions [pdf] on federal immigration enforcement actions on university property, which outline what to expect, what rights and protections are in place, and how students and campus community members can stay informed and prepared in the event of ICE activity.

In the event any enforcement activity or encounter with federal agent(s) leads to any kind of physical altercation, immediately call 9-1-1.

University Designated Official and Reporting Regulations

California state law requires each CSU campus to designate an official who must be notified when federal immigration agents are expected to enter, will enter or have entered any campus property or facility to execute a federal immigration order or conduct any kind of federal activity on immigration. For San José State University, campus properties are comprised of Main Campus and South Campus; off-campus sites like the Associated Students Childhood Development Center, Art Foundry, Hammer Theatre Center; and affiliated facilities like Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Timpany Center and Reid-Hillview Airport.

Mari Fuentes-Martin

Vice President for Student Affairs and Designated University Official for Federal Immigration Activity Notification
(408) 924-5900
immigration@sjsu.edu

In accordance with the immigration protocol above, the University Police Department will be responsible for verifying the validity of any warrants, court orders, or subpoenas.

University Police Department

South Parking Garage
377 South 7th Street
San José, CA 95192
(408) 924-2222

Our Responsibilities and Your Rights

What are SJSU’s responsibilities, obligations, limitations on immigration enforcement actions?

SJSU follows the California State University guidance on what to expect, what rights and protections are in place, and how students and campus community members can stay informed and prepared in the event of ICE activity. Learn more by reviewing the California State University FAQ [pdf].

Will I be notified if immigration enforcement activity occurs on campus?

Senate Bill 98 is a California state law signed and in effect since September 2025 that requires educational institutions like San José State University to provide timely notifications of an immigration enforcement activity that occurs on campus.

Notifications to the campus community will be conducted through the SpartanSafe mobile app - SJSU's official safety app and one-stop resource for crime incident, tip reporting, and holistic wellness services and tools. Additionally, email(s) may also be sent.

Get the Spartan Safe app

What will be communicated?

If the University Designated Official is notified of any federal immigration action on any SJSU property, the university will communicate with the campus through the Spartan Safe app and email(s).

The university may communicate any of the following:

The federal agency or agencies conducting enforcement activity
Which campus property or facility is affected
What times federal agents will be on campus grounds or when enforcement actions happened

What are “nonpublic areas”?

Nonpublic areas are defined by December 2025 guidance from the California Attorney General in Promoting a Safe and Secure Campus for All [pdf] as locations in school sites which have controlled access such as playgrounds that are gated, the interior of school buildings, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, administrative offices, or a parking lot that is completely fenced in and requires authorization to enter. Campus grounds, outside buildings are not defined as nonpublic areas.

At San José State University, all buildings require keycard (known at SJSU as Tower ID cards) access provisioned to active students and active employees.

Existing state law prohibits, no university personnel is to provide access to any controlled access, nonpublic space without authorization from the Designated University Official (the Vice President for Student Affairs Mari Fuentes-Martin) or University Police Department.

If asked by a federal agent to provide access, call UPD at (408) 924-2222 so that an authorized member of UPD personnel can comply with the access request, provided a signed judicial order/warrant/subpoena has been furnished to the Designated University Official and UPD.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is a public venue, except for areas of the Library requiring Tower ID access, which are classified as nonpublic areas.