Can ICE get my college records? Your rights on a California campus

This page is about colleges and universities and the records they keep. For K to 12 schools, see Can immigration agents come to my child's school?. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can my college give my records to ICE?

Not on its own say so. A federal law called FERPA protects your education records: grades, class schedule, financial aid files, discipline files and most of what the college keeps about you. A college may share them without your written consent only in listed cases. One is to comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena (34 CFR 99.31(a)(9)). Another is a real health or safety emergency (34 CFR 99.31(a)(10)).

The California Attorney General's 2026 guide for colleges says it plainly: FERPA has no exception for immigration enforcement (AG guide, pp. 10, 29).

You usually get a warning first. Before the college obeys a subpoena or court order, it must make a reasonable effort to tell you, so you can go to court to stop it (34 CFR 99.31(a)(9)(ii)). There are exceptions. If a court or the issuing agency orders the college to keep a law enforcement subpoena secret, or in some terrorism cases, the college does not have to tell you. If you get a notice like this, call a lawyer the same day.

California adds a layer at public colleges. CSU, every community college district and private colleges that take Cal Grants must keep personal information about students private. They may release it with your consent, as privacy law allows, or in response to a judicial warrant, court order or subpoena (Ed Code 66093.3). The law asks UC to follow the same rules. UC's own principles say no confidential student records go out without a judicial warrant, subpoena or court order (UC, November 30, 2016).

What about an ICE subpoena?

ICE officers can write their own subpoenas, without a judge. They use Form I-138 (8 CFR 287.4). If someone refuses, ICE has to ask a federal court to order compliance.

The Attorney General tells colleges that staff generally do not need to comply right away with an administrative subpoena. They should send it to a designated campus official or lawyer, and the college can challenge it in court (AG guide, p. 24). That gives you time, and it is one more reason to answer any records notice fast.

What is "directory information," and should I opt out?

Directory information is the basic list a college may share without asking you, such as your name and major. FERPA lets colleges share it unless you opt out (AG guide, p. 29). California says CSU and community college directories may not include your home address or class schedule (Ed Code 66093.3), and no law requires a college to keep a directory at all (AG guide, p. 30).

Ask the registrar how to opt out. It takes a few minutes. Opting out can also hide your name from things like graduation programs or honor lists, so ask what you would lose.

Is my Dream Act or AB 540 information safe?

The California Student Aid Commission says California Dream Act Application information is used only for state aid and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement (CSAC). Information you give for the AB 540 tuition exemption is confidential under state law (Ed Code 68130.5).

The FAFSA is a federal form. Federal law limits how colleges and state agencies may use FAFSA data, but it does not set the same limit on the Department of Education itself (20 U.S.C. 1090). If you have no Social Security number or are unsure which form to file, see How to apply for the CA Dream Act before you fill anything out.

Can immigration agents come on campus?

Yes, into public areas. Open quads, public sidewalks and any space the public can walk into are open to agents too.

Not into private areas without a judge's warrant. At CSU, community colleges and covered private colleges, immigration officers may enter nonpublic areas only with a judicial warrant. The rule does not cover visits about international programs, job verification or other non enforcement work (Ed Code 66093.3). The AG guide says these colleges may not grant access to nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant, with limited exceptions such as emergencies (AG guide, pp. 21, 23).

An ICE warrant is not a judge's warrant. Forms I-200 and I-205 are signed by immigration officers. The AG says an ICE administrative warrant does not give agents power to make the college cooperate or to enter private areas (AG guide, p. 23). Learn to spot the difference: How to tell an ICE warrant from a judge's warrant.

Your dorm room is your home. You do not have to let agents into your residence hall room. Refusing consent or asking for a judicial warrant is not obstruction (AG guide, p. 21).

Will campus police help ICE?

California's Values Act limits state and local police, and that includes campus police and security (AG guide, p. 14; Gov. Code 7284.6). Campus officers may not ask about your status for immigration enforcement, hold you for ICE, or arrest you on a civil immigration warrant, with limited exceptions. UC's principles say its officers will not contact, detain, question or arrest anyone only because of suspected status (UC).

One honest gap: reports campus police write for law enforcement purposes are not FERPA education records (AG guide, p. 14; 34 CFR 99.8). The Values Act still limits what officers can share, but an arrest or police report follows different rules than your transcript. If you have any police contact on or off campus, see How a criminal record can affect your immigration status.

What does my college have to do if agents show up?

Under state law, CSU, community colleges and covered private colleges must:

• Send staff to the president's or chancellor's office to check any warrant, court order or subpoena (Ed Code 66093.3).
• Notify the campus when immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus, with the date, time, place and a link to resources, but no names (Ed Code 66093.3; SB 98).
• Call your emergency contact if there is reason to think you were taken into custody.
• Name a point of contact for anyone who may face an immigration order or question on campus.
• Keep a free list of immigration legal services for any student who asks.
• Help you keep your aid and benefits, and let you reenroll, if you are affected by an immigration order.

UC is asked, not required, to follow these rules. Every community college and CSU must also have a Dreamer Resource Liaison (Ed Code 66021.8).

What do I do if agents come to my class, job or dorm?

1. Stay calm. Do not run or push past anyone.
2. You can stay silent. Do not answer questions about where you were born or your status. Do not show foreign papers.
3. Do not lie and do not show false papers. Silence is your right. A false answer can hurt you for years.
4. Ask, "Am I free to go?" If yes, walk away calmly.
5. Do not sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
6. If you work on campus, you can say: "Please wait here. I will get the president's office." Then call your supervisor.
7. Tell the Dream Center or point of contact, and call the rapid response line in your county.

For every setting, read Your rights if immigration agents come. Carry a red card.

What if I am an international student?

Colleges that enroll F or M students must report certain data to the federal student tracking system (SEVIS). ICE may visit for that reason, not to arrest anyone (AG guide, p. 11). FERPA does not block that required reporting (AG guide, p. 29). If your SEVIS record or visa status changes, talk to your international student office and an immigration lawyer right away.

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Ignoring a records notice. You may have only a short time to object.
• Sharing your status in group chats, class forums or public posts. What you post publicly can be seen by anyone (ILRC, June 5, 2026). See What to know before you share your immigration story in public.
• Telling a professor or classmate more than you need to. Faculty and staff may not reveal your status unless privacy law allows it (Ed Code 66093.3), but your friends are not bound by that law.
• Paying someone who promises to "clean" your records. That is a scam. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.

Questions students ask

Can my professor report me? California law tells faculty and staff at CSU and community colleges not to reveal anyone's personal information, including status, unless privacy law allows it (Ed Code 66093.3). If someone threatens to report you, tell your Dream Center and keep a record.

Should I drop out or stop applying? Not before you get advice. The protections on this page exist so you can keep studying, and many students keep going with a plan. Talk to your Dreamer Resource Liaison and a free campus lawyer first. See College for undocumented students in California.

Does this protect my parents' information on my aid forms? The same CSAC promise covers the whole Dream Act Application (CSAC). Ask a campus lawyer about anything else you are asked to share.

What if I am stopped off campus? Your rights to stay silent and refuse a search go with you everywhere. See What to do if ICE or police stop you on the street or in your car.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Community college students, staff and faculty statewide: free immigration legal services, with priority for undocumented students (CCC)
• CSU students statewide: free legal services and an undocumented student contact at every campus (CSU)
• UC students and immediate family: UC Immigrant Legal Services Center (UC Davis)
• Anywhere in California: report a campus incident to the Attorney General at Immigration@doj.ca.gov (AG guide, p. 7), and find your county's rapid response line on the CCIJ statewide list (updated February 3, 2026)
• San Mateo and Santa Clara county residents: Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, 650-326-6440 (CLSEPA)
• More: Can college students get free immigration legal help?

You belong on campus. Know your rights, keep your people close, and keep going.

Is there a card I can print?