DHS agents at CSU Fullerton were part of explosive detection team on training mission, police say

FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- The Cal State Fullerton Police Department is addressing concerns after federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security were spotted on campus.

In a post shared late Wednesday night on X, police confirmed a DHS Explosive Detection K-9 team, which consisted of one K-9 and its handler, was on campus to conduct routine training.

"They were not here to enforce action or conduct an investigation," read the post.

The police department's response came after several students began posting about seeing DHS on campus on social media. Some teachers announced they were canceling classes.

The alleged sighting of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents quickly spread, causing fear in some students and faculty.

"My mom actually sent it to me. She sent it to me this morning. It was just a screenshot of the news saying that there were agents and officers on campus," said CSUF sophomore Julissa Morales.

Students like Annabella Soltero heard about it on TikTok.

"I looked through the comments just to see more about it," she said. "I saw a lot of people were saying that their classes were canceled because of it, and that a lot of people weren't going to show up in general because they were scared even if their class was canceled or not."

"I was just worried about how other people would feel about them being on campus because, of course, this is an issue in our country right now, especially with everything happening," Morales said.

Police stress they were not at the school to enforce immigration laws or for an investigation.

"It made me feel a lot better. I was very relieved. I heard it from a professor, and I got an email about it. It was very relieving to hear, just so other people wouldn't feel so unsafe to come to school," Morales added.

"I feel relief not just for myself, but for other people too. Relief that it's not going to affect them, and they can go about their day and not have that looming over their head," Soltero said.

The university is aware immigration is a hot button issue right now.

CSUF offers information to students on how to talk to immigration officers and individual rights.

"I heard about it, and I have reposted a few things and sent it to some people. I think it does help a lot with the fear for students to know that there are resources and there's help. They're not just on their own," Soltero said.

"All my professors have made it super clear that there are resources to help, and they will always be there to protect us," Morales said.

CSUF did confirm that four students' visas have been revoked, but they would not provide any information as to why or if it's related to President Trump's crackdown on international student visas.

Police said the department has a point of contact specifically related to matters of immigration through the CSUF Risk Management and Compliance Office, which can be reached at 657-278-7475 during and after business hours.

"We urge you to contact this office to verify information before taking action based solely upon social media postings," said police.