OC Dream Resource Center

At this time, we cannot predict the practices that will be enforced or occur, but you can plan and prepare should you face an encounter.

• Identify Your Legal Team (Lawyer/Attorney)

  • You have an attorney! As an Oxnard College (OC) student whose primary college is OC, your attorneys are: The Immigration Legal Defense.
  • How can I connect to my attorneys?
    • For non-emergency cases (DACA renewals, general consultations, etc.), contact the DRC to make an appointment.
    • FOR EMERGENCIES (arrest, detainment, detention), contact the DRC IMMEDIATELY!!! Save our phone number to your contact list and MEMORIZE OUR PHONE #. MAKE THE DRC A PART OF YOUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN! 805-678-5295

• Have everyone's important documents together in a safe and easily accessible place, such as:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Passports / Permit(s) to travel with minors
  • Medical Information / Health Insurance Cards
  • ITIN or SSN Cards (if applicable)
  • Immigration cards and A-numbers
  • Marriage Licenses
  • House/Auto documents (Vehicles’ titles/registrations, Home’s Mortgage or Rent documents)
  • Power of attorney for the care of minors, dependent adults, decisions on property, bank accounts, etc.
  • Restraining Order documents
  • Documents showing presence in the country for more than two years (I.e., medical history documents, school reports, etc.)

• Know who your system of support will be (preferably individuals with a legal status)

  • During encounter, arrest, or detainment, access to your phone might be limited or prohibited.
    • Memorize at least 2 phone numbers of trusted family or friends who can communicate with ICE.
    • Let them know the date, time, and place of where the incident occurred, and current facility.
  • Have your attorney’s phone number memorized as well

• Your Power of Attorney

  • If you are a parent or designated caregiver of a dependent minor or elder adult, appoint a trusted person who can make decisions on your behalf in your absence.
    • Create an Emergency Contact List for your family. Share a copy with your children and relatives, with your children’s schools and with persons of your trust.
  • Talk to an attorney to see if you need a caregiver’s authorization affidavit, or if power of attorney or guardianship forms need to be processed.
  • If you don’t know anyone with legal status, talk to an attorney about making a plan with someone you trust.

• Have a Savings Plan

  • While we recognize the impact current economic times have on our students and their families, it is important to have a financial savings plan in place, especially if you are the main financial provider in your household.
  • Additionally, while consultations and most legal representation and services provided by the ILD are free, we cannot predict what processes will be needed or if they will be covered.
  • Talk to an attorney at your earliest convenience and begin saving regardless of coverage.

While asserting your rights does not guarantee the stop of an arrest at the moment, it is important to exercise your rights to facilitate possible needed defense.

• Keep Calm - Don’t run, argue, resist, or obstruct the officer/agent, even if you believe your rights are being violated. Keep your hands where officers/agents can see them.
• Don’t lie about your status or provide false documents.
• Do not open the door.
  • Ask for a search and arrest warrant to be slipped under the door or held against the glass window where you can read it. (Please see the 'warrant' section below for more information).
  • If immigration agents are not compliant and enter your home without your permission, verbally express that you do not give them permission to enter your home or search your belongings. Remain silent.
• Do not answer any questions. Exercise your right to remain silent. If you do choose to answer questions, remember not to lie.
• Do not sign any documents.
• Ask to speak with your lawyer.
• If you feel safe, record the event with your cell phone either through video or audio only.
• Do not agree to what ICE asks. It is impossible to predict the series of events implicated by an agent. For example, if asked, do not follow them to their office, immigration offices like USCIS, or meet them elsewhere.

ICE can’t come into your home unless they have a signed search warrant.

• Do NOT Open the Door - If officers are at your door, ask them to pass the warrant under the door before you open it, or to hold it against a glass window.
• If the agents don’t speak your language, ask for an interpreter.
• Do NOT resist if ICE agents force their way in. Say “I do not consent to your entry,” but do not physically resist.

Encountering ICE agents in a public places can be stressful. It is critical you remain prepared and informed about your rights and the appropriate actions to take during such encounters.

• Always Keep Calm. Don’t run, argue, resist, or obstruct the officer/agent, even if you believe your rights are being violated. Keep your hands where officers/agents can see them at all times.
• If you feel safe to do so or are a U.S. citizen, you may attempt to record the ICE activity with your phone or write down any relevant information about their activity.
  • Do not interfere or obstruct their duties.
• Do not run or physically resist. Avoid running away or physically resisting if approached by ICE agents. It may escalate the situation and potentially lead to further legal complications. Instead, focus on asserting your rights calmly and confidently.
• You have the right to remain silent and deny requests to answer questions about your immigration status or country of origin.
• You have the right to speak with a lawyer prior to speaking with law enforcement.
• Don’t lie about your status or provide false documents.
• Do not sign any documents.
• Ask if you are free to leave. If the ICE agents confirm that you are not being detained, you have the right to depart from the encounter calmly.

Encountering ICE during worksite enforcement actions can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty for employees. It's essential for you and your co-workers to understand your rights and be prepared to handle an ICE raid at their workplace effectively.

Please use Constitutional Rights cards responsibly. They do not serve as a form of legal representation. You are responsible for knowing and practicing your rights. Remember, Red Cards only work if YOU Know Your Rights!

Red Cards are also physically available in the Dream Resource Center in English and Spanish. For additional languages, please call us at (805) 678-5295, or email us at ocdreamcenter@vcccd.edu.

Arabic

Chinese

English

Korean

Spanish

Tagalog

Vietnamese

Resources were provided by ACLU, Advocates for Immigrant Rights, Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law, ILRC, 805 Immigrant Coalition, Immigration Legal Defense, Law Office of Vanessa Frank, and United We Stand.

For OC Students, Employees, and Alumni ONLY.

OC Alumni, please contact the DRC.

The ILD is here to help you with your legal needs!

Learn how to make an appointment below or contact the DRC for assistance!

Areas of Immigration Legal Assistance:

• Adjustment of Status
• Immigration Relief Screenings
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Family-based Petitions
• Naturalization/Citizenship
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
• T Visas
• U Visas
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
• Immigration related inquiries

Types of Immigration Legal services provided:

• Help completing forms
• Filings with USCIS
• Representation before the Immigration Court
• Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• Federal Court appeals

Make an appointment today!

Visit FIND YOUR ALLY and follow the 7 easy steps below:

1. Type Oxnard College

2. Choose between a Telephone or Zoom Consultation

3. Select Date

4. Select your preferred *Time (*Late afternoon appointments usually available the last Wednesday of the month)

5. Click Next

6. Provide your information

7. Select Schedule Appointment & confirm

For all Community Members.

Do you know someone in need of FREE Legal immigration Services who is not an Oxnard College Student?

Swap Meet Justice (SMJ) is a local organization composed of Immigration Attorneys, community organizations, and volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to assisting the local immigrant community.

Speak to trusted Immigration Attorneys regarding your:

• Pending Case(s)
• Immigration Options / General Immigration Inquiries
• Initial U.S. Citizenship Applications
• Initial Legal Permanent Resident Applications and Renewals
• DACA Renewals
• VISA, TPS, and much more!

Visit the SMJ Legal Services and Resource Fairs

• Located at the Community Market at Oxnard College
• 9AM-3PM
• Last Sunday of every month :
  • 1/26/2025
  • 2/23/2025
  • 3/30/2025
  • 4/27/2025...
• No appointments necessary
• Family friendly and Confidential
• For more information, email the SMJ Team at info@swapmeetjustice.org or visit them at swapmeetjustice.org

• California Community Colleges: Resources to Support Undocumented Students
• 805 UnDocuFund: Local Community Resources for Undocumented Residents
• Foundation for California Community College: Undocumented Student Support
• Higher Ed Immigrant Portal: A Directory of Resources for Undocumented Students and Individuals
• Informed Immigrant (For Educators: Supporting Undocumented Students and their Families)
• United Teachers Los Angeles

The OC Financial Aid Office provides free help completing the California Dream Act. Assistance is available on a drop in basis or through appointment; in person or through zoom.

How a DREAMer Can Find Financial Support in the US

Undergraduate Scholarship List 

Undergraduate Fellowship List 

Graduate Scholarship List

Graduate Fellowship List

Financial Aid for Minority Students: MBA Scholarships

Scholarships for Native American Students

Scholarships for Hispanic & Latino/a Students

Scholarships for Undocumented Students

Internships and Fellowships for DACA and Undocumented Students

College Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students

Tools and Resources for Bilingual and ELL Students

Top 10 Books for Undocumented Students

• Dream Act Online Application
• Dream Act Resource Page
• Scholarship Guide
• Guide for Oxnard College AB 540/Dream Act Students 
• CA DREAM Act and Cal Grant checklists
• Immigrants Rising
• List of Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarships
• MALDEF
• My Undocumented Life
• Scholarships A-Z
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation
• The College Expo
• Campus-specific resources

• Online Master's Degrees - Master's Student's Ultimate Source for Earning an Online Degree
  • Best Online Guide to Scholarships & Resources for Undocu-Master's Students
• Immigrants Rising - List of Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarships