Thousands of students, professors and alumni have signed petitions demanding that their universities become “sanctuaries” for undocumented students whose immigration status looks increasingly precarious following the outcome of the US election.

Although Trump has rowed back on his pledge to deport 11 million illegal immigrants, he has nonetheless maintained a promise to “immediately” deport 3 million people, which many fear would include students who are currently protected from deportation by an executive order signed by President Obama.

The proposals are modelled on so called “sanctuary cities” in which authorities have said that they will resist cooperating with federal immigration officials. Other typical “sanctuary college” policies  include the provision of financial assistance for undocumented  students and the creation of deans to promote diversity and inclusion. In addition, Harvard students want to see their Memorial Church designated as a refuge for those facing deportation.

However, one senior legal fellow condemned the proposals, claiming they amounted to a “fundamental contempt for the rule of law.” Legal policy analyst Jon Freere also cast doubt on the efficacy of the proposals, saying: “I think it will be very difficult for these campuses to shield individuals who are in violation of the law from federal authorities should the government choose to deport somebody”.

Sarah Berry 

(Image: Daily Signal)