Jan. 30, 2017
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Over the past few days the White House has released three executive orders pertaining to immigration, heightening our concerns for the safety and wellbeing of members of our campus community and of our democracy. These new actions are particularly concerning for persons who are undocumented or who have ties to one of seven countries where issuance of visas and other immigration benefits have been suspended. Links to the text of these executive orders appear below.
In light of these actions, I write to affirm the university’s Commitment to Support Students, Faculty, and Staff Regardless of Immigration Status or Religious Affiliation and to inform you that additional information about the university’s commitments, Protecting All Members of the Puget Sound Campus Community, has been added to the Puget Sound website. The previously posted Q&A with information for undocumented persons also has been updated to reflect recent events.
Since I wrote to you on this topic last month, we have also reactivated the Undocumented Students Work Group, chaired by Rev. Dave Wright ’96 and comprised of Professors Pepa Lago-Grana and Robin Jacobson, and staff colleagues Eowyn Greeno (International Programs), Mona Lawrence (Student Employment), Kariann Lee (Academic Advising), Maggie Mittuch (Student Financial Services), and Vivie Nguyen (Intercultural Engagement). The work group will assist us in considering all that can be done—ethically, morally, and legally—to protect Puget Sound students and all members of our campus community. I look forward to their report and thank them for serving our community in this important way.
Over the next three days I will be in Washington, D.C., meeting with members of our Congressional delegation. I am sorry to not be with you here on campus during these challenging times, and encourage you, as individual citizens, to contact Congressional representatives to voice your opinions on issues of democracy of importance to you. As an institution of higher education we have an obligation to each other and to our society to work every day to bring to fruition a welcoming and inclusive society that represents the highest ideals of American democracy. I am proud of the important work this campus has already done, and the work we will continue to do together.
Sincerely,
Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President
Executive Orders
(Note: If you have not visited the White House website previously, the links below may redirect you to the White House homepage. If you have trouble accessing the links on second or subsequent visits, executive orders can be found on the White House website "Briefing Room” under "Presidential Actions/Executive Orders.”)
"Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" (Jan. 25)
"Enhancing the Public Safety in the Interior of the United States" (Jan. 25)
“Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States" (Jan. 28)