Colleges Supporting Undocumented Students

Ivy Coach supports DACA and stands with so many highly selective colleges in support of undocumented American young people and their right to educations at America’s most elite universities.

In a political climate in which many undocumented young people are worried about their families, about their futures, a number of highly selective universities have taken steps in recent weeks to let it be known that undocumented American students are welcome with open arms on their campuses. It’s news we are delighted to hear. We’ve been rather vocal on the pages of our college admissions blog about our support for the right of undocumented young people to earn spots at America’s most elite institutions. And if you’re curious if we’ve faced any opposition for our stance, just read the Comments section of some of our posts on undocumented college applicants. One lady, a daughter of the American Revolution as she so claimed, asserted that undocumented Americans like Larissa Martinez have no place at Ivy League institutions. We were mighty proud to throw this lady off her Mayflower.

At the University of Chicago, the president, Robert J. Zimmer, signed a petition supporting the policy known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which protects children and young adults who’ve come to the U.S. illegally from being deported. As reported by “The Chicago Maroon,” the petition reads, “‘To our country’s leaders we say that DACA should be upheld, continued, and expanded. We are prepared to meet with you to present our case,’ the letter reads. ‘Since the advent of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, we have seen the critical benefits of this program for our students, and the highly positive impacts on our institutions and communities.'”

At Columbia University, as “The Columbia Spectator” reports, “The University has announced a plan to provide sanctuary and financial support for undocumented students, according to an email sent to the Columbia community by Provost John Coatsworth on Monday afternoon.” At Harvard University, its president, Drew Faust, also stands with undocumented American young people. As “The Harvard Crimson” reports, “University President Drew G. Faust pledged to take steps to protect undocumented students in the wake of Donald Trump’s election, writing an email to Harvard affiliates Monday to ‘reaffirm our clear and unequivocal support for these individuals.’ In the email, Faust wrote the University will expand the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program at the Law School and bring immigration experts to campus to provide legal resources for undocumented students. Faust’s chief of staff Lars Madsen will also coordinate efforts across the University to advise undocumented students.”

At Dartmouth College, as “The Dartmouth” reports, a petition is being circulated calling on college administrators to “not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in identifying and detaining students.” “The petition, signed by the Dartmouth Coalition for Immigration Reform, Equality, and DREAMers, along with other concerned members of the Dartmouth community, affirms the College’s past commitment to protecting undocumented students. It states, however, that it is Dartmouth’s ‘moral and ethical responsibility to protect the students directly affected by President Elect Donald J. Trump’s shameful rhetoric and proposed policies.'”

At Cornell University, as “The Cornell Daily Sun” reports, “Over 15 Cornell departments, programs and assemblies have released statements supporting undocumented students in response to concerns that Cornellians may face deportation after Donald Trump alters immigration policies. These statements follow a petition published Nov. 18 and signed by over 2,000 Cornellians, requesting that the University to continue its financial support of undocumented students and become a ‘sanctuary campus’ protecting students from deportation.”

The list of colleges standing with undocumented American young people goes on and on. And we’re surely mighty happy to see this is the case. We at Ivy Coach salute these colleges supporting undocumented students.