Editor’s note: This was emailed to all students, faculty and staff on Feb. 22, 2017.

Dear Campus Community,

I’m writing to share a statement released this afternoon from CSU Chancellor Timothy White addressing new developments regarding national immigration policies.
 


 
On February 21, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly issued two memoranda to his department providing direction regarding implementation of President Trump’s recent executive orders on increased border security and stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

While the memoranda deal with many immigration issues, they do not affect the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy – which remains in full effect. DACA status is applicable to many, but not all of our students who lack immigration documentation.

Clearly, this emerging federal immigration policy is complex. At this time, the CSU is carefully examining these federal directives and reviewing their potential impact on CSU campuses.

We do not have information indicating that stepped up enforcement will focus on our campuses. We do advise any member of our CSU community – students, faculty and staff – who is approached while on campus by federal, state or local officials asking for information or documentation regarding immigration status, to immediately contact the University Police Department. The University Police Department will act as a liaison with the on-site officials, and will coordinate with the Office of General Counsel to provide guidance, references and resources as available.

As I have emphasized in the past, the California State University is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming institution of higher education that is enhanced by our global community. As such, we will continue to make every lawful effort to provide a safe and welcoming campus environment for all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of our community.

As I announced previously last summer, CSU’s flexible systemwide set of policy guidelines are intended to remove the CSU from the enforcement of federal immigration laws. CSU’s policy is that, unless otherwise required by law, we will not enter into agreements with law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. Our university police departments will not honor immigration hold requests, and our university police will not contact, detain, question, or arrest individuals solely on the basis of being – or suspected of being – a person who lacks documentation. This important CSU policy has not changed and is not impacted by Secretary Kelly’s memoranda, and these memoranda do not affect the policies or practice of the CSU and our university police departments.

We remain deeply committed to fulfilling the educational and public mission of the California State
University in a safe and welcoming environment.
 


 
For campus assistance with issues referenced in Chancellor White’s message, please contact University Police at (408) 924-2222.  I also encourage you to be acquainted with campus and community resources available to undocumented students.

We will share additional information as it becomes available.

Mary A. Papazian
President