Reaffirming Support for Undocumented Students + Resources for All

Dear SMC Colleagues & Students: 

I am writing to acknowledge the events that began this past weekend in downtown Los Angeles (opens in new window) in the wake of heightened federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard. These actions have left many of us alarmed, dismayed, and deeply concerned; it is vital that, at this time, we recognize our responsibility to support our undocumented/mixed-status students and community.

Now, more than ever, SMC reaffirms and stands strong behind its commitment to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status, sexuality, gender/gender identity, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, age, or socio-economic background. Know that we will continue to safeguard your rights and personal information at SMC.

To quote from a June 9 memo California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian sent to CEOs statewide, “We know from experience that the impact of federal crackdowns doesn’t stop at the businesses and neighborhoods directly affected. These tensions often spill over onto our campuses and into the lives of students who are working hard to build their futures.”  

Students have diligently dedicated time and effort to reach the end of the Spring semester, also a significant culminating point in the academic journey of the graduating Class of 2025. On a related note, the Vice President of Academic Affairs has asked SMC faculty to extend flexibility, wherever possible, to those whose attendance and/or participation in final assignments/exams might be impacted by the unprecedented events taking place in the LA area.

Please make a note of the detailed support resources listed below the signature line of this communication.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, please watch out for others as well as yourself. As many feel the need to speak up and take a stand, I urge members of the Santa Monica College community to choose peaceful protest as a means of exercising your First Amendment right. Please be safe while standing strong in support of our undocumented/mixed-status students & colleagues, and each other.

Most sincerely,

Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D.

Superintendent/President

---Resources for Undocumented/All Students & Colleagues Below---

Resources for Impacted Students & Colleagues:

• The Dream Resource Center which empowers and supports undocumented students & those from mixed-status households in achieving their goals at SMC.
• Immigration Resources
• The Center for Wellness & Wellbeing – provides a range of emotional/mental health support services in-person and virtually. Also offers a confidential 24/7 emotional support hotline 800-691-6003 exclusive for SMC students. Visit the main office or one of the many special programs or satellite campuses to find a therapist to connect with.
• The EASE Program for employees. Provides free face-to-face counseling and referrals for anxiety and stress, and more. Reachable via 800-882-1341.

• Caring for Ourselves & Each Other (opens in new window) (a resource from EASE & LA County of Education)

Review SMC Protocols re. Federal Immigration Enforcement:

The College & its police department does not participate in immigration enforcement activity. Our focus remains the safety and wellbeing of the SMC community. Please take a moment to review the College’s established processes in the event of federal immigration enforcement presence on-campus and related resources:

• SMC Federal Immigration Enforcement Response Webpage (consolidates resources, details on how the College handles and protects student information, legal updates & more)

• One-Page Flyer: What to Do if Federal Immigration Officials are On-Campus 

Resources Specifically Curated by SMC/Dream Resource Center Partners for the Undocumented Community:

Know Your Rights (KYR):

• Helpful handouts, videos, and webinars:
• National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights Flyer (English) (opens in new window)  | Spanish Version (opens in new window)
• From IRLC (opens in new window)
• From WeHaveRights (opens in new window)

• Webinar from late February 2025 about KYR information and Executive Actions (opens in new window)

NAKASEK (opens in new window) , a social justice network, has a phone app you can download to access KYR information and legal resources in many languages. It also has a speaker feature that can announce your rights in English, if needed. 

SMC Red and Blue Cards
You can pick up red (or blue) cards from the SMC Dream Resource Center office (also at different programs/offices throughout campus). These contain basic constitutional rights information that you can carry with you to help you assert your rights if encountering ICE.

• Digital copies in different languages can be found to be printed here (opens in new window)

Immigration Legal Services
SMC & California Community College students have access to free immigration legal services through FindYourAlly (opens in new window) .

Emergency Family Preparedness
Helpful toolkit with guidance for immigrant families (opens in new window) to create concrete plans in case of an emergency.

Mental Health
For access to confidential mental health counseling and additional mental health and wellness counseling resources and information, go to the SMC Center for Wellness and Wellbeing

Deportation Defense
Here are some organizations that provide deportation defense assistance:

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center (opens in new window)
• CHIRLA Removal Defense (opens in new window)
• Public Counsel (opens in new window)
• Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project (opens in new window)
• CARECEN Deportation Defense (opens in new window)
• El Rescate Legal Services (opens in new window)
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (opens in new window)
• The Survivor Justice Center (opens in new window)

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