Support for Employees

California Senate Bill 294 (SB 294) 

SB 294 updated California law to strengthen protections for employees and clarify employer responsibilities when immigration enforcement activity occurs at a worksite. These protections apply to all employees, regardless of immigration status, and are intended to ensure transparency, due process, and employee safety. The Department of Industrial Relations has provided a stand-alone written notice (English / Spanish) explaining these important workplace rights.

Key points include:

• Notice of Immigration Inspections: If the University receives notice of an immigration agency inspection of employment records (such as I-9 forms), employees and applicable union representatives must be notified within 72 hours.
• Limits on Employer Cooperation: Employers may not voluntarily allow immigration enforcement agents to enter non-public areas or access employee records without a judicial warrant, as required by law.
• Protection from Retaliation: Employees are protected from retaliation or discrimination for exercising their workplace rights or for asserting protections under state or federal law.
• Emergency Contact Designation: Employees have the right to designate an emergency contact and may choose to have that contact notified if they are arrested or detained at work and the University becomes aware of the situation. If you would like to designate an emergency contact specifically for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at hr@humboldt.edu. Sponsored Programs Foundation employees should contact spf-hr-payroll@humboldt.edu.

Guidance for Employees Who May Need to Interact with Immigration Enforcement Officers

1. CSU is a public university and a large portion of CSU property is open to the general public. The areas on campus that are open to the general public, like the campus quad and walkways, are also open to federal immigration enforcement officers. 
   
   However, immigration officers cannot enter areas that are not open to the general public, such as residence halls, classrooms while class is in session, confidential meeting rooms and spaces, or employee offices unless the officer presents a valid judicial warrant or declares that exigent circumstances exist. Exigent circumstances are emergency situations that would allow immigration officers to enter a location without a judicial warrant (see FAQ No. 2).
    
2. Cal Poly Humboldt has designated Michelle Caisse, Interim Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, reachable at (707) 826-4501 or michelle.caisse@humboldt.edu, and David Hickcox, Title IX Coordinator & DHR Prevention Administrator reachable at (707) 826-5177 or david.hickcox@humboldt.edu to review all immigration enforcement documents. 
   
   If an immigration enforcement officer approaches you to gain access to a nonpublic area of the campus, or to obtain confidential student or employee records, do not voluntarily grant access; respectfully inform the officer that you lack authority but will immediately contact Caisse. If neither of these administrators is available, contact the University Police Department (UPD) at (707) 826-5555.
    
3. If immigration enforcement officers declare exigent circumstances, or enter nonpublic spaces without permission, do not interfere or obstruct them. Immediately contact UPD at (707) 826-5555.
    
4. CSU has prepared the following resource materials to educate and assist employees concerning interactions with immigration enforcement officials:
   • FAQs for CSU Employees about Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions on University Property
   • Presentation Slides: Responding to Immigration Enforcement Requests to Access Nonpublic Areas on Campus and/or Student or Employee Records; training posted to CSULearn
   • Quick Reference Guide: What to Do If a Federal Immigration Enforcement Officer Requests Access to University Property or Records
   • California Attorney General Guidance and Model Policies to Assist Universities in Responding to Immigration Issues
      
5. Additional Resources
   • Resources for Undocumented Students
     • Resources, Guides and FAQs
     • Free Legal Immigration Services
     • Scholars Without Borders, which hosts regular Know Your Rights workshops open to the campus community
   • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which makes regular visits to campus and provides free legal immigration services

Faculty Immigration Resources

Academic Personnel Services (APS) is the official campus office for submission of visa applications. APS provides assistance to hiring units and international faculty on the required documentation needed to submit a complete visa application.