As U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to be deployed across California, Diablo Valley College President Monica Chahal has sought to reassure the campus community that safety is a top priority of the school.
“It’s heartbreaking that we have people who don’t feel safe here,” said Chahal, speaking in an interview with The Inquirer in early February.
“We’re committed to making this campus a place where students’ focus should be on learning, and the context within which they are learning remains safe for them.”
In emails sent to DVC faculty, staff and the student body, Chahal has reiterated protocols in the event that ICE enters the school’s premises. The protocols call on DVC community members to:
- Remain Calm and Professional
- Do Not Disclose Information
- Guide Officers to the College President’s Office
- Allow the College President to Handle the Request
- Maintain Confidentiality
- Document [the encounter]
Chahal said she hopes the existing protocols can help prevent “something worse from happening” if federal agents show up on campus.
“So far, there has not been any immigration enforcement activity on an educational premises, so this would be new,” Chahal said.
“I’m hoping we don’t get there, but we definitely have to absolutely consider, what if that does happen?”
Describing the process administration will follow in the event of ICE officers on campus, Chahal said a clear plan has been put in place and communicated to faculty and staff.
“If officers were to come to campus, they may not enter classrooms. If a faculty member is confronted by officers at their classrooms, the instructor should step outside the classroom,” Chahal said.
“The instructor would [then] alert the dean and someone would walk the officer up to the President’s Office. We will then confirm [their] identity and determine next steps.”
If the school has confirmed ICE presence on campus, all employees and students would be informed, said Chahal.
“Students will first get a text message to check their email,” Chahal said, and “the email will contain detailed information” about the federal agents’ visit.
Chahal said students and staff should remember that “classrooms are not public spaces,” and ICE officers aren’t simply granted information about students upon request.
“We do not reveal student information. We can’t disclose information to even a grandparent,” said Chahal. “We need a judicial warrant.”
If students or staff encounter an ICE officer on campus and not in the classroom, said Chahal, the best thing to do is “alert a staff member or go to the nearest office.”
Arturo Ocampo • Mar 2, 2026 at 10:22 am
This is excellent. You may wish to remind students and employees that much of this is not just campus policy but required by state law. I often adivse my Community College clients that if they find ICE just wandering around or sitting in the parking lot that either campus safety or an administrator should approach the officer and stay with them until they leave. This reduces the likelihood they might violate someone’s rights and provides a credible witness if they do violate the law.
Good Luck
Arturo Ocampo
Attorney at Law.