According to an investigation by the UC Santa Barbara Police Department, the federal agent at Santa Catalina Residence Hall roughly three weeks ago was not an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The incident involved government officials inquiring about an international student’s visa status, which is “not a common occurrence” but has happened in the past, according to the University.
University media spokesperson Kiki Reyes said that “while it’s not a common occurrence, the government has conducted similar checks on student visas in the past.” Nexus file photo
On Oct. 2, staff members at Santa Catalina said they were approached by a federal agent who inquired about an international student’s potentially expired visa status. Staff did not share any personal information and the interaction lasted approximately five minutes before they left the building.
According to Associated Students President Le Anh Metzger, the UC Police Department (UCPD) informed her that on that day, two individuals, a man and a woman in plain clothes from an unknown government agency, entered Santa Catalina behind a student. They proceeded to show a front desk attendant a badge “that had something to do with immigration” and asked about an international student’s visa status. Metzger also added that the student they were inquiring about is not currently enrolled.
The Nexus reached out to the University and UCPD to corroborate these details, but did not receive confirmation.
UCPD Interim Chief of Police Matthew Bly told the Nexus in a written statement that they believe the individuals were government officials, but that they haven’t identified which agency at this time.
University media spokesperson Kiki Reyes said that “while it’s not a common occurrence, the government has conducted similar checks on student visas in the past.”
According to fourth-year global studies, communication and Spanish triple major Metzger, the UCPD contacted the Ventura and Los Angeles Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) field offices and were told that no agents were sent to Santa Catalina.
Bly also added that under the Student and Exchange Visitor program, the Department of Homeland Security “can attempt to make contact with an international student or scholar as it pertains to their immigration status in the United States.”
Metzger concluded by stating that the Association and several University departments reiterated to their organizations that under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, personal information from education records cannot be shared until a student consents.
“There’s a bunch of leaders in Associated Students who are actively looking into ways to support undocumented students,” Metzger said.
Local organization 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network has been checking and tracking incidents of possible I.C.E. activity in the Central Coast. They are hosting a “Rapid Response Network Training” to inform community members in Goleta on how to identify I.C.E. vehicles and agents on Oct. 23.
A version of this article appeared on p. 3 of the Oct. 23 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
