On Monday morning, around 9:45 a.m., officers identified as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at the Santa Maria campus of Allan Hancock College and detained a student’s parent in Parking Lot 2. The operation concluded quickly, with the agents leaving the campus shortly thereafter.
College Response
Allan Hancock College issued a press release stating it had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not participate in the federal action. “Our campuses should be places where every student can learn, grow and pursue their goals without fear,” the college said. The institution added that its police department does not detain, question, or arrest individuals solely based on suspected illegal immigration status and that student records remain confidential unless legally required.
Local Officials React
Santa Maria City Councilmember Gloria Soto held a press conference in the afternoon to address the incident. During the briefing, a student who identified herself as Miley shared that her father had been taken into custody, though she offered no further details. A vigil was organized after the conference to support the family.
Law Enforcement Statements
The Santa Maria Police Department confirmed it had not received any alert about the operation and had no additional information. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to inquiries, stating, “ICE has no record of activity on Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, this morning.” The news outlet also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for further clarification, noting that any response from the federal agency will be added when available.
Community Resources
Allan Hancock College provided information about resources available to its community members, directing those affected to appropriate support services. The college reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of immigration status.
Context
Immigration enforcement actions on college campuses have drawn attention nationwide, highlighting the tension between federal immigration policy and local educational institutions’ desire to protect student welfare. While the Trump administration has emphasized robust border security and immigration enforcement, local colleges like Allan Hancock continue to assert their role as safe spaces for learning.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
