MiraCosta College works to make sure all students feel welcomed and have the tools
they need to succeed, regardless of immigration status. UPRISE strives to make sure
undocumented, DACAmented, and mix-status students at MiraCosta College feel safe and
supported by providing access to immigration legal services, offering academic and
mental health counseling, and connecting students to financial and academic resources.
MiraCosta College will not release any personally identifiable student information,
including any data related to immigration status, without a judicial warrant, subpoena
or court order, unless authorized by the student or required by law.
MiraCosta College has made a commitment to creating a racially just campus and to welcome, nurture, and validate individuals and their identities and diverse cultures.
10 Ways Employees Can Support
- Refer undocumented and mixed status students to UPRISE program to receive holistic resources and services including Mental Health Counselor Nidya Ramirez Ibarra (nramirezibarra@miracosta.edu) for the UPRISE Mental Health Support Group.
- Familiarize yourself with the relevant policies and procedures (see below) and refer
any Immigration Government Officials to Vice President of Student Services Alketa
Wojcik (Superintendent/President designee) and/or Chief of Police Valencia Saadat.
You can identify some policies by visiting this page in addition to accessing the following policies and resources:
- MiraCosta College Administrative Procedure 3415 outlining the District’s policy regarding Responding to Requests for Access for Immigration Enforcement Activities
- MiraCosta College Administrative Procedure 4072 outlining the District’s policy that only students whose names appear on the class roster and who are officially enrolled are authorized to be in the class, except in situations where class sessions are open to the public or visitors meet the specific criteria outlined in the AP to be allowed to visit a class.
- California Attorney General (December 2024) Promoting a Safe and Secure Campus for All Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California’s Colleges and Universities in Responding to Immigration Issues
- California Dream Act
- AB540
- Establish yourself as an ally and your space as a safer place for undocumented students. You can register for the next UndocuAlly training to learn about best practices to serve undocumented students. Register here.
- Avoid making assumptions about the undocumented community. This community, just like others, is not a monolith. Please be aware of the intersectional identities that students may hold. (UndocuQueer, UndocuBlack, etc.). Do not disclose someone’s citizenship status or ask students to self-identify to you or out loud in class.
- Use inclusive language (do not use terms such as illegal or alien) and add welcoming
language to your class syllabus. We recommend the language below:
MiraCosta College is committed to supporting undocumented and mixed-status individuals, with a strong emphasis on fostering their personal and educational success. As an educator, I aim to create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. I will ensure course accessibility and provide confidential accommodations for any immigration-related challenges. Your status is private, and sharing it is your choice. I value your trust and respect confidentiality. For more information on MiraCosta's resources for undocumented and mixed-status students, please visit miracosta.edu/uprise. - Identify and share scholarship opportunities that do not require a Social Security Number and/or U.S. Citizenship. Please note that MiraCosta College scholarships are open to all students, including undocumented and international students. You can find some scholarship opportunities here.
- Access the Bias Education Webinar on Anti-Immigrant Bias hosted by Bias Education Support Team (BEST) and featuring speakers from Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.
- Refrain from providing students with legal advice and instead, please refer them to Jewish Family Services Higher Education Legal Services for free and confidential legal services to MiraCosta students, staff, and faculty.
- Ensure students that their information is protected through FERPA and state policies. Review this document to learn more.
- Donate, either one-time or recurring, to the foundation fund to support undocumented students. This fund supports undocumented students through emergency grants, professional development, and other immigration-related concerns. You can donate here.
