A petition calling for greater protection of undocumented students living on campus was released yesterday in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s stated intentions and policies.
Addressed to College administrators, the petition calls on the College to state that it will not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in identifying and detaining students. The petition urges the College to release a non-compliance pact with ICE, similar to those issued by the Los Angeles Police Department and Denver Police Department. It also calls on the College to work with the Hanover Police Department to ensure neither Dartmouth nor the Hanover Police will cooperate with “raids, detentions or deportation of immigrants.”
In addition, the petition asks the College to set aside funds for undocumented students and their families for legal counsel; offer sensitivity training for faculty and staff on undocumented students’ rights and resources to ensure these rights; and provide legal and mental health services for all students who may be affected by the policies of President-elect Trump.
The petition, signed by the Dartmouth Coalition for Immigration Reform, Equality and DREAMers, along with other concerned members of the Dartmouth community, affirms the College’s past commitment to protecting undocumented students. It states, however, that it is Dartmouth’s “moral and ethical responsibility to protect the students directly affected by President Elect Donald J. Trump’s shameful rhetoric and proposed policies.”
