From Elizabeth Siler, American Association of University Professors
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State University chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) supports an effort to petition the administration to make WSU a sanctuary campus for undocumented students.
About 28 universities nationwide have proposed to become safe spaces where students can study and learn without fear of deportation.
The petition asks that WSU:
* Ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other immigration enforcement officials from the university;
* Block immigration officials from student information without student consent;
* Make a public statement urging the U.S. government to protect students under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals from removal and to support a path to permanent status for these students.
These goals are congruent with WSU’s goals of fostering integrity, trust, respect, diversity and global citizenship, states the AAUP, and cannot be achieved when students who have been permitted to enroll at WSU under the Washington State REAL Hope Act must be fearful of potential deportation.
President Kirk Schulz has noted that WSU “offers life-changing college experiences to our undocumented students as authorized by the state” and has developed scholarship programs for undocumented students.
This established commitment to undocumented students underscores the need to further affirm students in their efforts to achieve sanctuary campus status, states the AAUP.