Dear Members of the Campus Community,

In my message to the campus community earlier this month, I reiterated the university’s commitment to support undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students. I write today to elaborate upon that support.

Please be aware of the following actions:

Financial support
Undocumented and DACA students in need of assistance are encouraged to contact University Chaplain Dave Wright ’96, dwright@pugetsound.edu, who serves as a confidential resource and can make appropriate referrals. (Dave Wright is also available to friends of DACA or undocumented students seeking information on behalf of those who wish to remain anonymous.)

As stated in earlier messages, we have committed as a university to do everything we can to address individual students’ circumstances. This effort includes covering the cost of DACA renewal fees (including administrative expenses) through a confidential arrangement with Tacoma Community House (TCH); evaluation of circumstances that might require additional financial support; and access to legal counsel that has been retained to advise the Undocumented Students Work Group.

If you are a student seeking assistance with DACA renewal, please contact TCH at 253.383.3951 to make an appointment as soon as possible and identify yourself as a Puget Sound student. TCH recommends that renewals be completed by Sept. 29 in order to meet the Oct. 5 deadline.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
Training by NWIRP related to immigration rights and support of undocumented individuals was held on campus last year, and will be scheduled again during the 2017–18 academic year. Please look for an announcement soon about opportunities to participate.

Ongoing advocacy
The university has consistently lobbied for policies and laws to protect undocumented and DACA students not only at University of Puget Sound, but at institutions across the United States. The university is a signatory on letters in support of DACA authored on behalf of member institutions of numerous higher education organizations, including the American Council on Education, and on a joint statement issued by the Washington State Council of Presidents, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Washington Student Achievement Council, and Independent Colleges of Washington. We will continue this work to join with others to communicate the urgency of Congressional action to support our students.

I will continue to update the campus community on this and other issues that affect our community, and am grateful for the ongoing advice and guidance of the Undocumented Students Work Group, chaired by Dave Wright ’96; our legal counsel; and colleagues across campus, including ASUPS. For more information, please visit pugetsound.edu/undocumented.

I am proud to be a part of a campus that cares so deeply for every member of this community and lives its values in service to others.

Sincerely,

Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President