BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — CSU Bakersfield has confirmed that a scheduled visit by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is solely for a compliance audit and not for immigration enforcement.
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The announcement, which circulated on social media, caused alarm among students.
The university clarified that the visit is part of an annual audit of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which monitors international students and the schools that host them.
CSUB emphasized that this is a routine check that has been conducted for years.
However, many students were unaware of the annual nature of the audit, leading to concerns about DHS’s presence.
Following student concerns, CSUB sent a second email confirming that DHS is not conducting any immigration enforcement actions.
The audit, which reviews the federal SEVIS database tracking international students, is also being conducted at other CSU campuses.
The university stated that the notice was sent to comply with the California SAFE Act (Assembly Bill 1955), which mandates schools to alert students and staff whenever federal immigration officials are present on campus, regardless of enforcement activities.
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CSUB assured students that campus resources, including counseling and legal support, are available for those feeling uneasy.