An on-site immigration compliance visit will be conducted at Cal State Bakersfield on Nov.18 by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Domestic Operations Division.
The visit is a routine audit of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a web-based system used by DHS to ensure schools and programs are in compliance with regulations for nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors.
“SEVIS audits have recently occurred at other campuses and are a long-standing practice prior to the current immigration enforcement activities,” wrote Amy Bentley-Smith, director of media relations and public affairs for the CSU office of the chancellor.
An initial email was sent to the campus community by Lori Blodorn, vice president of people and culture, alerting the campus about the presence of DHS officials on campus tomorrow.
The notice was sent in compliance with the California SAFE Act which mandates that schools notify when federal immigration enforcement agents are on university property.
“A DHS representative reached out to let us know there are no plans for immigration-enforcement actions by DHS or ICE during the visit,” wrote Blodorn in a second email.
The SEVIS audit is typically conducted by one DHS representative and CSUB has no indication that other representatives or agencies will be on campus.
Some faculty have decided to cancel classes or offer alternative assignments for students with concerns of coming to classes tomorrow.
David Melendez, assistant professor of theatre, shared that some of his students have shared concerns regarding the presence of immigration officials on campus.
“[Students] were really apprehensive given the track record of immigration customs enforcement and lookalikes,” said Melendez.
He and some colleagues are offering alternative assignments for students who feel unsafe being on campus.
DHS will be on campus starting at 9 a.m. and will work with CSUB staff in the departments of International Students and Programs and Extended Education and Global Outreach.
