Joint Statement from the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Solidarity with the Undocumented Community
July 30, 2020
Dear UC Davis Students and Community Members,
We write to express our collective support for our Undocumented community at UC Davis and beyond. We center their humanity and acknowledge the continued strength and fortitude demonstrated despite facing numerous barriers including unjust and inhumane immigration policies. We remain committed to advocacy and supporting our Undocumented community through our words and actions.
We were disappointed to see new attempts to undermine the DACA program announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. The impact of these efforts creates uncertainty alongside the COVID-19 pandemic—further deepening injustice across our communities. UC Davis and higher education at large are further challenged in cultivating the talents of our state, our country and the world when we do not provide all students an equal opportunity to succeed.
The University of California, of which UC Davis is one of 10 institutions, is reviewing legal options and will continue to stand behind the university’s students regardless of their immigration status.
UC Davis will not stop advocating and living out our values through our service, and we applaud our colleagues and students in the AB 540 and Undocumented Student Center and the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center (UCIMM) for their continued efforts. We encourage students and their immediate family members seeking immigration legal advice for initial or renewal DACA applications to contact UCIMM. Likewise, we invite currently enrolled Undocumented students to reach out to the AB 540 and Undocumented Student Center serving the entire Undocumented community with financial resources, holistic advising, connections to immigrant-focused mental health professionals and much more. The center’s resources are not contingent on DACA status. As the first physical center of its kind across the country, we are proud of the AB 540 and Undocumented Center’s efforts to include all Undocumented voices, perspectives and experiences on our campus.
In partnership,
Dr. Pablo G. Reguerín
Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs
Dr. Renetta Garrison Tull
Vice Chancellor
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion