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San Diego City College remains on alert after reports of activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents just beyond the boundaries of the downtown campus triggered a formal campus response on Monday.

After campus officials were alerted early in the day, City College released a social media post on Instagram confirming activity near, but not on, the campus. City Times Media confirmed at least two emails were also sent to campus employees.

“We are sharing this message for awareness and transparency,” an Instagram post from San Diego City College said. “Earlier today, it was confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was present near the City College campus. City College and the San Diego Community College District do not participate in immigration enforcement activities. It is our District policy not to work with ICE.”

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The message suggested students download the SDCCDSafe App, the new district-wide app that was implemented earlier this year and replaced the LiveSafe App to help students and staff stay safe.

 

The social media update came hours after an initial email was sent by Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker to campus employees.

“The college was made aware of a report regarding possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity near the campus earlier today,” Parker wrote in an email sent to college employees mid-day. “At this time, there is no immediate threat to anyone on campus.”

While the close encounter with ICE did not result in any confirmed attempts to come onto campus, fear in the community still exists, said Magaly Corro Flores, coordinator of the Undocumented/Intercultural Center at City College.

“My concern was more alleviating the students’ fears regarding that message, so letting them know that the president had no communication with ICE,” Flores said. “So that was more of my concern – rumors starting. Then I’m starting to worry about students not coming to campus, and then there’s finals, right? 

“Because ICE is in the community. ICE is doing immigration enforcement activities, and that is a real fear.”

Many students were preparing for the final days of classes, including Political Science major and Associate Student Government President Celina Martinez.

Martinez pointed to the uncertainty facing many immigrant communities under the current U.S. administration’s policies throughout the country, and that safety while at City remains vital.

“I believe that it is our top priority to keep students safe during their time on campus and that includes our commitment to protecting our undocumented students, students with mixed status families, and all other communities,” Martinez said in an email to CTM. “It is our duty as a community with diverse backgrounds to overcome and combat these challenges and bring about a greater future for our college.”

AP 3415, the Non-Participation in Immigration Enforcement Activities Administrative Procedure for the San Diego Community College District, details that staff and employees are prohibited from interacting with ICE agents.

In a video released by the district, Chancellor Greg Smith said if immigration enforcement arrived at an SDCCD campus with a warrant, students, faculty and staff should let the agents know they are not authorized to speak with them, direct them to the District’s office and “simply walk away.”

“Warrants and subpoenas are complicated, technical legal documents with very strict rules governing their legality,” Smith said. “We do not expect any member of the District in any capacity to be in a role to review those and to grant permission except for the chancellor and general counsel.” 

Cesar Gumapas, City College’s information officer, encouraged students to download the SDCCDSafe App for the most up-to-date alerts and campus information.

“In alignment with District policy, City College and the San Diego Community College District do not participate in immigration enforcement activities,” Gumapas wrote in an email to City employees obtained by CTM. “Employees are encouraged to review the attached ‘Know what to do if ICE is on campus’ guidance, which outlines District protocol, including who to notify and how to respond if immigration enforcement activity is observed on campus.”

According to ICE enforcement and detention statistics, over 70,000 people have been detained in San Diego in 2025.

City College Chicano Studies professor Octavio Garcia recognized this trend and implored City to keep a watchful eye as we enter the new year.

“It is troubling that ICE was so close to campus, but not surprising considering the current situation we are experiencing,” Garcia said. “I ask all faculty, staff and students to remain vigilant when they are on campus, to communicate if they see an ICE or possible ICE presence.

“The sooner we know about an ICE presence, the sooner we can mobilize to try to protect as much as we can, our vulnerable undocumented community.”

Keila Menjivar Zamora, Samira Hassan, Chrisdan Peralta and Mylo Gallardo contributed to this report. This story was edited by Samira Hassan, Chrisdan Peralta and Gabriel Vasquez.