Students, faculty, and community supporters peacefully protest on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino, demanding stronger protections for their undocumented student population. / Photo by: Aldon Stiles, IVN
San Bernardino, CA — Students, faculty and community members gathered at Cal State University Bernardino (CSUSB) on Oct. 2to denounce a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows immigration officers to use race, language and occupation as grounds forstops, and to demand stronger protections for undocumented students.
The emergency demonstration, organized by Students for Quality Education (SQE), the California Faculty Association–SanBernardino Chapter and other student groups, began at noon on the Alumni Center Lawn with speeches, chants and personal testimonies before marching to the administration building to deliver a list of demands to campus leadership.
“This court’s decision is a direct attack on our undocumented community,” said CSUSB public health student Daniela Lara Mancia. “Not only does it enable the racial profiling of immigrants but it will allow for more families to unjustly be separated. I worry forthose currently locked up in inhumane detention centers. This is just wrong.”
The Supreme Court’s Sept. 8 decision has prompted widespread concern that it will intensify racial profiling and undermine constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as due process and equal protection guarantees.
Organizers said the ruling compounds existing fears on campus, where immigrant students and employees have long pushed for sanctuary policies.
“The administration’s abuse of power should not be tolerated in any capacity and we must have the courage to speak up for our undocumented students and community members,” Mancia said.
On Aug. 21, the California Faculty Association’s Immigration Task Force issued demands urging the CSU system to refuse to release immigration information, declare campuses sanctuary spaces, reject cooperation with immigration authorities and block ICE from CSU property.
Speakers shared emotional testimonies about the personal toll of federal immigration enforcement.
One speaker emphasized the role of students in creating cultural safety on campus. “CSUSB is really the only place right nowwhere it feels safe to express those symbols of our
culture, because outside, I don’t know who’s going to try to attack you verbally, physically, just
for wearing a different flag,” they said, pointing to broader patterns of prejudice beyond the campus.
Speakers urged attendees to engage with their communities, confront prejudice through dialogue and mutual aid, and hold campus leaders accountable.
“Talk to your community, and we’re stronger together,” one organizer said. “When we’re together, we’re stronger.”
California Faculty Association–San Bernardino Chapter President Tiffany Jones addressed the crowd, expressing solidarity with students and criticizing both federal policies and CSU administrative responses.
“We refuse to concede to the racism of the government, the churning of speech, the intimidation of activism and the silencing of dissent,” Jones said. “We call on our campus to protect, not endanger, the safety and well-being of every student, faculty member and staff member.”
Jones outlined the union’s immigration task force recommendations, including declaring sanctuary spaces, refusing ICE compliance,offering pro bono legal support, and providing safe housing for students at risk of deportation. “We must not wait. We must all actnow. We have to forge campus coalitions,” she said.
The protest culminated in a march to CSUSB’s administration building, where students delivered a “report card” grading the university’s response to ICE presence and immigrant student protections.
Protest leaders gave the administration failing marks across categories including student privacy, ICE compliance refusal and support services.
As chants of “No hate, no KKK, no fascist USA” echoed through campus, students pledged to continue organizing, with workshops and follow-up actions planned in the coming weeks.
