Western's Commitment to Our Undocumented Students

Published On

Mon, 11/28/2016 - 2:46 pm

Dear Western Community,

I welcome everyone back from Thanksgiving break and hope that you had a relaxing and enjoyable time with family and friends.

As I took time during the break to reflect on my first four months at Western I could not help but give thanks for this new community that Uzma and I are privileged to call home.  The weeks prior to the break showed us what this Western community is all about, one in which students, faculty and staff reach out and strive to care for one another. 

Within that spirit I feel it is important for me to re-enforce the values that are Western and that are articulated in our mission statement and strategic goals.   I also want to reiterate where Western stands in regard to a number of issues that have been raised regarding our undocumented students.

Our positions are:

  • Western does not enforce federal immigration law, is under no obligation to do so under current law, and has no plans to do so.
  • Western does not contact, detain, question, or arrest individuals solely on the basis of presumed documentation status.
  • Western does not make enrollment decisions based on immigration status or by asking for immigration documentation (except that certain information is necessary to establish whether a student qualifies for resident tuition).
  • Western does not disclose records that reveal an undocumented immigration status unless there is a court order or subpoena.

 

On behalf of Western, I have signed on with more than 300 other higher education leaders in supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  In taking this action university and college presidents are urging business, civic, religious and non-profit sectors to join them in supporting DACA and undocumented immigrant students. Here at home we are in the process of meeting with local government and education leaders to discuss opportunities to collaborate and enhance our community.

I am proud to be the president of this great university and I am honored to represent every student and employee in standing up for what is right. 

Thank you and best wishes for a successful close to this fall quarter.

Respectfully,

Sabah Randhawa