Dear Columbia Community,
Columbia’s commitment to our undocumented students and our students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status remains as strong as ever, even as the DACA program is being debated at the U.S. Supreme Court.
When the federal government announced its plan to eliminate DACA three years ago, we made a pledge that our University would continue to support DACA, no matter what. This ongoing commitment includes:
- Advocating for the continuation of the DACA program
- Offering free legal services for DACA and undocumented students on immigration-related issues, including help with the renewal of DACA status applications
- Not allowing immigration officials on campus without a warrant
- Not sharing information on the immigration status of undocumented students with immigration officials unless authorized by a student or required by a subpoena or court order
- Pledging to expand the financial aid we offer to the affected students if DACA is terminated or substantially curtailed and those students lose the right to work
- Providing other resources for affected students who need help and support
Columbia’s schools also continue to work with individual DACA and undocumented students on a case by case basis to address specific needs. To begin the process of identifying resources, students are welcome to contact the University's liaison for DACA and undocumented students, Associate Vice President for Student Life Ixchel Rosal.
We have always been clear about how we feel — that all prospective students, regardless of their immigration status, are welcome to apply to Columbia and that Columbia’s undocumented and DACA students are valued members of our community. And we look forward to continued conversations and partnerships as we navigate these times and work together to support our DACA and undocumented students at Columbia.
In community,
Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law
