Our decision to declare Portland State University a sanctuary campus has been met with broad support from our students and the community. But it also raises some questions and concerns about what it means and how it might affect our relationship with the federal government. Let me explain our decision and its implications.
Intense rhetoric during and since the presidential election about the possibility of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants left many of our students with very real fears for their future. As Oregon's most diverse college campus, and as the university of choice for thousands of Latinos, we must offer a safe and welcoming educational environment.
PSU is home to more than 80 undocumented students who are part of the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – the "dreamers." These are students who came to Oregon as children of undocumented parents. They were raised here, went to high school here and now attend PSU. Declaring ourselves a sanctuary gives them reassurance that we at PSU are committed to their safety and security.
For other students, it makes a strong statement that we support everyone, regardless of national origin, religion or other factors unrelated to their pursuit of a college degree.
Here is what it means to PSU to be a sanctuary campus:
- Our Campus Public Safety Office does not and will not enforce federal immigration law. State law prohibits such enforcement.
- We will not facilitate or consent to immigration enforcement activities on campus unless legally compelled to do so, or in the event of a clear threat, such as an imminent risk to the health and safety of others.
- We will not share confidential student information, such as immigration status, unless required to do so by law.
In short, we will not voluntarily be a party to policies that seek to disrupt the education of students who are on a path to become our future leaders, our teachers, our scientists, our entrepreneurs and the backbone of Oregon's economy.
Does this declaration of sanctuary status put PSU at risk of not receiving federal funding? PSU receives federal funding through research dollars and from Pell grants to our students. Undocumented students already do not qualify for Pell grants. It would be utterly without precedent – and likely require congressional action – for the federal government to withhold unrelated funding for supporting students in this manner.
After we announced our sanctuary decision last week, response was immediate. I'm pleased to say, the vast majority has been positive. Here is an example from one of our students:
"I am not sure how to express my gratitude. By no means do I think that this would be enough to keep me from being deported if DACA was repealed. But as I try to keep my head up and focus on school this really helps me feel that much safer. Thank you very much for stepping up and making this statement I will not forget this."
I grew up in the Netherlands in the aftermath of World War II. Despite the impression created by the Anne Frank story, a greater proportion of Dutch Jews were deported than in any other country. It happened in part because the Netherlands had a very complete population registry, and "good" bureaucrats stood by as it happened. History has taught us the importance of speaking out and standing together.
PSU is far from alone in this sanctuary decision. Other universities across the nation as well as Oregon campuses have made similar statements, as has Portland Public Schools. Portland's Mayor-elect Ted Wheeler has said the city will continue as a sanctuary when he takes office.
We're speaking with one voice for one reason. Promoting fear by targeting a particular group of our students, workers and neighbors is wrong. We must stand with them.
Wim Wiewel is president of Portland State University.