Dec. 20, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
Assemblyman Francisco Moya is calling for all SUNY and CUNY schools to become “sanctuary campuses” as a means to protect undocumented students from deportation.
The sanctuary campus system, Moya said last week, would prohibit schools from sharing confidential information about students such as a home address with any federal agencies. The idea is similar to how cities throughout the country, including New York City, have declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” prohibiting federal authorities from deporting immigrants from within the city’s jurisdiction.
“A student should never be afraid to pursue a higher education out of fear that it may leave them vulnerable to deportation. To allow an atmosphere in which students are hesitant to enroll in a university or attend their classes contradicts our values as a state of immigrants, it undermines the integrity of our academic bodies,” Moya said.
Moya suggested that SUNY and CUNY schools create a strict code that prohibits all university faculty, administrators and staff from assisting federal authorities to deport students in any way, including sharing information.
“SUNY and CUNY schools must adopt discretion policies and become ‘sanctuary campuses’ so they can never be compelled to divulge information that could put their own students and staff at risk. Sanctuary campuses are a very powerful metaphor that expresses both legal protections and reprieve from danger. A student’s immigration status should never be an obstacle in their path to a degree and a better life,” he added.
Throughout the country, students have rallied and organized to encourage universities to become sanctuary schools, including in New York where CUNY DREAMers have rallied for the same cause. The American Association of University Professors came out in support of the program in November.
Featured Events
3 Comments
What is a better way to get your point across ? If African Americans used a “better way ” than civil disobedience they would still be riding in the back of the bus. Peaceful protest is what makes this country great regardless if you agree with them or not. Don’t like people voicing their opinion I hear north Korea is taking applications . Oh you’re Trump supporter guess the better way is to just tweet protest instead .
Didnt this guy just get himself arrested. I dont want to take advice from someone like this. No way. No good. There are better platform , better ways to get your point across. Hes showing School kids, if you cant get yout way, get arrested, cause a disturbance. Bad bad example
This man is a pest in our community. His parents live 2 houses away and uses his “badge” to get parking. He tried to have my grandfather removed from a parking spot because he felt entitled, he even walked into my house and up the stairs and pull out a phony badge. He was lucky I wasn’t home or he would have had no legs.