March 7, 2017
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is the university responding to the uncertainty surrounding undocumented students?
A. U-M has created a working group of faculty, staff and students to immediately focus on problem solving regarding immigration issues and international education. And we are connecting with other universities and higher education associations to address these concerns in a collective fashion.
Q. How has the university been reaching out to undocumented or international students?
A. The university is adding resources to its website to provide guidance to students regarding such topics as international travel, immigration and other issues of concern. Our International Center staff has been reaching out to students and faculty individually.
Q. What can you tell us about the BRIDGE act?
A. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Reps. Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Louis Gutierrez (D-IL) have introduced this bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives that would offer a temporary reprieve to Dreamers. The BRIDGE Act would continue deportation relief and access to a work permit for three years if the president changes the DACA executive action. You can find additional information in a Q&A format here: https://www.nilc.org/issues/daca/faq-bridge-act/
Q. How can I show support for the BRIDGE act?
A. Our colleagues at Rutgers University have developed an easy-to-use online tool that allows all members of the greater higher education community across the nation to show individual support for the BRIDGE act. That tool can be accessed here: http://www.capwiz.com/friendsofrutgers/issues/alert/?alertid=74828626
Q. What is the university’s level of cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
A. International students, scholars and faculty, as well as undocumented and DACA students continue to be protected by the same privacy laws and university policies as U.S. citizens. The university does not provide information on immigration status to anyone except under certain legal conditions.
Q. How many undocumented students are there on the Ann Arbor campus?
A. We do not know. The university does not have a need to ask for the immigration status of any student nor do we keep a list of such students. We support the 2011 Department of Homeland Security policy that identified schools and universities as “sensitive locations” where enforcement actions require special permission from DHS leadership.
Q. Will the U-M declare itself a sanctuary campus?
A. The university’s primary concern is for the safety of our students and this is our focus. We will remain diligent in maintaining our longstanding, consistent approach. This includes understanding that international students, scholars and faculty, as well as undocumented and DACA students, continue to be protected by the same privacy laws and university policies as U.S. citizens. We do not provide information on immigration status to anyone except under certain legal conditions.
There is no common definition of a sanctuary city or campus. The university is committed to protecting student privacy, to assuring student safety and to supporting student success and, as information develops, to creating effective solutions that benefit students. We also share the concern expressed by leaders at other universities about how such a designation may inadvertently harm undocumented students.
Additionally, President Schlissel has signed on to a “Statement of support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program and our undocumented immigrant students” drafted by Pomona College and endorsed by dozens of colleges and universities. The statement urges continued support and expansion of the DACA program.
