UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
To All Members of the University of Minnesota Community,
202 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455-0110
612-626-1616
Fax: 612-625-3875
In recent days, a petition signed by more than 1,500 members of our community and many emails and other communications have come to me seeking the University’s support for non-citizen University of Minnesota community members. I take this matter very seriously.
I want to assure you that the University’s senior leadership team and I are firmly committed to the safety of all of our students, including immigrants and undocumented students, and we will advocate for them to be able to attend the University and continue their studies uninterrupted.
This is a pressing issue — not only on our campuses but across the nation — and that’s why I joined (http://z.umn.edu/daca) with hundreds of other college and university presidents in supporting a statement urging government leaders to uphold, continue, and expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.
What follows is the University of Minnesota’s statement on this important matter.
Eric W. Kaler
President
Support for non-citizen University of Minnesota community members
The University of Minnesota is a public, land-grant institution that prides itself on opening its doors to all. We remain steadfast in the commitment of our five campuses to welcome and support students, faculty, and staff from around the globe.
We appreciate that many in our University community are anxious and fearful for themselves and their friends and family because of possible changes to U.S. immigration law. Like you, we are following the public and student discussion closely. Be assured that the University will stay true to its values and advocate for our undocumented students, international students, and all members of our community. We remain dedicated to doing everything in our power to ensure legally that all members of the University of Minnesota community can continue their studies, research, and teaching without interruption. The safety of everyone on our campuses is important to us.
While it is too early to know what, if any, changes will be made to U.S. immigration laws after the new Congress and President take office in January, we will continue to provide information and resources to help all members of our community.
The University has been and will continue to respect and support the DREAM Act and the Executive Order for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA extends renewable two-year work permits to certain undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before their 16th birthday. Their contributions benefit this University, the State of Minnesota and beyond. If there is a change in national policy that impacts our community, the University will assess the specific requests and respond to them.
In the midst of this important public conversation, President Eric Kaler and this University reaffirm: hatred and intolerance have no place here; we treasure our laws defending freedom of speech and religion, banning discrimination, prohibiting threats and violence, and ensuring equal protection; and we will not compromise our commitment to diversity.
Our diversity is among the many things that make us strong. All are welcome here and we support you.