UC makes statement on enforcement of immigration laws in wake of election
University of California President Janet Napolitano said the University believes all members of the UC community have the right to work, study and live safely and without fear at all UC locations. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Ryan Leou
Dec. 4, 2016 12:22 p.m.
This post was updated on Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
The University of California announced Wednesday it will not direct its police departments to help investigate, detain or arrest individuals for violating federal immigration law.
The limited resources of UC police departments should not be diverted from its mission of providing a safe campus environment to enforce federal immigration laws, said the UC in its Statement of Principles in Support of Undocumented Members of the UC Community.
UC released the principles after President Janet Napolitano met with UC staff coordinators who support undocumented students at all 10 UC campuses. The principles will apply to all UC campuses and medical facilities.
The principles came a day after Napolitano joined other California public college leaders in asking President-elect Donald Trump to keep the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in place. Trump said in his campaign that he would dismantle the program if elected.
[Related: UC President Napolitano joins in letter to Trump defending DACA]
DACA is a federal program that allows undocumented students who arrived in the country as minors, stayed out of trouble and pursued higher education to delay deportation and work legally in the country.
The principles also stated the UC will consider undocumented applicants with or without DACA status on the same basis as any U.S. citizen or other applicant.
“UC will continue to admit students in a manner consistent with our nondiscrimination policy and without regard to a student’s race, color, national origin, religion, citizenship or other protected characteristic,” the principles said.
The UC said it will not release confidential student records, without permission from a student, to federal agencies or other parties without a judicial warrant, a subpoena, a court order or as otherwise required by law.
Trump also called for a national database of Muslims in the US and refugees during his campaign.
The University said it would not cooperate with any federal efforts to create a registry based on any protected characteristics, such as religion, national origin, race or sexual orientation, because it would be antithetical to the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, federal and state laws, and principles of nondiscrimination that guide the UC.
UC medical centers will also continue to treat all patients who require our services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship or other protected characteristics.
“Our UC medical centers remain committed to these responsibilities and will vigorously enforce University nondiscrimination and privacy policies and standards of professional conduct,” the principles said.
Napolitano said in a statement the principles were in response to announcements made during the presidential campaign, aftermath of the election and potential actions the Trump administration might take.
“We felt it necessary to reaffirm that UC will act upon its deeply held conviction that all members of our community have the right to work, study and live safely and without fear at all UC locations,” Napolitano said.
