Resources for Undocumented, International and Immigrant Students and Employees

This page provides essential resources and support for students and employees who are undocumented, immigrant, or international. Here, you’ll find information on rights and protections, legal assistance, and campus services to help support your academic and professional journey.

Resources for Undocumented Students/Employees And Immigrant Legal Services

 offers FREE legal services for CSU students, employees and families:
  • Deportation Defense
  • Family Petitions
  • GreenCards
  • U-Visa 
  • AND MORE!

CSU System Resources for Undocumented Students

The CSU offers :

  • DACA Updates
  • Legal Support
  • Campus Support
  • Admissions Process
  • Financial Aid
  • Residency for Tuition Purposes
  • Communications and Guidance

Undocumented Student Resource Center

Cal State East Bay has an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus that serves all students and employees.

Protections for Immigrants in California

These same protections may not exist in other states and territories of the United States.

Local and state law enforcement are prohibited from using their resources for federal immigrant enforcement (CA- Senate Bill 54, passed in 2017)

  • The policy makes an exception for violent offenders, but beyond that, any law enforcement agencies that assist ICE with deportations would be breaking state law.
  • CA Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that California’s law has already been , in 2018, when a previous administration tried to halt it. 

California State University employees may NOT share any information to third parties, including DACA status, AB540 status, and enrollment status. ALL INQUIRIES should be referred to UPD who will check for a warrant on a violent crime.

Know Your Rights as an Immigrant Resources 

The CSU publicly posts several materials alerting individuals to their immigration rights and protections under the law.


These reminders are from CA State Attorney General Robert Bonta issued on 12-17-24:

  • You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for affordable housing funded by the federal government. 
  • Housing providers cannot harass or intimidate you by threatening or sharing information about your immigration status to ICE, law enforcement, or government.
  • You have the right to access emergency medical care. Federal laws and regulations ensure the rights of all people to access emergency medical care, including undocumented.
  • You have the right to an attorney. If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed attorney. If you are detained by ICE and/or are facing immigration proceedings, you have the right to seek legal assistance through an attorney. 
  • State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status. California law expressly prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes. 
  • State and local law enforcement cannot share your personal information. This includes sharing your home or work address for immigration purposes, unless that information is available to the public or unless that information involves previous criminal history.
  • State and local law enforcement cannot assist ICE with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. This means they cannot investigate, cannot interrogate, cannot arrest, and cannot detain you unless it is as part of joint federal task force where the primary purpose is not immigration enforcement.

The full “Know Your Immigration Rights” consumer alert is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese at 

These cautions are from CA State Attorney General Robert Bonta issued on 12-17-24

If you need help applying for immigration relief, be careful who you hire. Watch out for immigration scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and/or harm your immigration status! Here are some tips and resources to help: 

  • Go to a legitimate legal aid organization for free legal help. Many nonprofit organizations provide free immigration help to low-income individuals, such as those found through the resources below. To find a legal aid organization near you, go to CSU has pro bono Immigrant Legal Defense for students, employees or their family members. .
  • Keep your original documents in a safe place. Don’t give your original documents to anyone unless you see proof that the government requires the original document. If you give someone an original, they may lose it or refuse to return it unless you pay them.
  • Do not hire an immigration consultant or a notary. Only lawyers, accredited representatives, and recognized organizations can give you legal advice or represent you in immigration court. Immigration consultants – who may call themselves immigration experts, notarios, notaries public, or paralegals – cannot do so.
  • Do not give money or personal information to anyone who calls, texts, or emails you claiming that there is a problem with your immigration matter. No federal or state agency, including USCIS, will ever ask for your personal information or payment over the phone, email, or text.
Public Charge Rule was shut down by federal courts. 

Previous Administration’s efforts to expand the “public-charge rule” which would have denied permanent resident status to immigrants if they used public benefits like food assistance or Medicaid was ruled illegal in federal courts (led by California State Attorney General as lead plaintiff)

California State Attorney General Robert Bonta public statement on 11/7/2024:

Bonta vowed to protect undocumented immigrants, and all immigrants in the State of California in the coming administration.

In 2017, the CSU issued Frequently Asked Questions for California State University Employees About Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions on University Property. The CSU has updated the FAQ, which is publicly posted on the Resources for Undocumented Students webpage and can be distributed to relevant stakeholders. See the FAQ

The California Attorney General issued Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California Colleges and Universities in Responding to Immigration Issues. These guidelines are intended to assist university personnel in navigating immigration enforcement actions on campus. Guidance from the Attorney General was previously circulated to the presidents and is posted on the Resources for Undocumented Students: Resources, Guides and FAQs page. See the guidance  

The 2025-26 financial aid application cycle officially began on December 2, 2024. Understanding that students and their families may have concerns about privacy when completing financial aid applications, the California Student Aid Commission has provided the attached memo and published a website with information for 2025-26 financial aid for mixed status families. Their guidance is

International Support and Resources

Should you find yourself in need of legal support, the CSU provides pro bono (free of charge) legal immigration services through a contract with or ILD. You can book an appointment online and it is available to all CSU employees, students, and their families

International Travel Advice

A reminder to students who live on-campus whose travel plans may change. All Housing students have a space to stay as Housing remains open throughout all Winter Break. Should an affected student or employee (who does not currently live in on-campus housing) have need of short-term housing because of changed travel plans, please contact Housing at housing@csueastbay.edu if you need a short term contract for a place to stay during the break.

Student Resources

We also have staff at the Center for International Education, who can answer questions for international students. 

Employee Resources

Immigration Status and Mental Health

Stressors for individuals who are undocumented, temporary status, or in mixed status families:

  • Chronic stress from “living in the shadows” and ongoing uncertainty of political changes
  • Acute stress from anti-immigrant rhetoric and threats of mass deportation
  • Restricted job opportunities, ongoing economic stress
  • Uncertainty about career opportunities post-graduation
  • Hesitation to engage supportive services
  • Lack of expertise from some University staff

Mental Health Resources

  • Counseling Services records have a high level of legal protection. In addition to this, we never document client immigration status.
  • Two counselors (Rosa and Kathryn) are designated liaisons to undocumented community, both bilingual in Spanish and English.
  • Confidential Campus Advocate (Michelle) and Case Manager (Lizeth) are both also bilingual in Spanish and English.
Rosa Mora

Rosa Mora
Licensed Counselor

Kathryn Kirkpatrick

Kathryn Kirkpatrick
Licensed Counselor

Lizeth Cortez

Lizeth Cortez
Case Manager

Michelle Luqueno-Diaz

Michelle Luqueno-Diaz
Confidential Advocate

Students can schedule an appointment at  call (510) 885-3735, or email shcscounseling@csueastbay.edu.
Additional resources for undocumented mental health are available on our Online Wellness Resources by Community webpage.