City College and Board of Trustees Reaffirm Sanctuary Campus Status
By Kyra Young
kyrajyoung@gmail.com
Editor’s note: The Guardsman would like to remind the community that they do not have to answer any questions, sign any documents, or hand over any documents based on their Fifth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.
President Donald Trump began his term by signing 200-plus executive orders and actions, ten of which sought to follow through on his threats of mass deportations by changing the face of U.S. immigration law and policy.
Included was a bid to end birthright citizenship; the expansion of “expedited removal”; removal of the CBP One app and cancellation of all future asylum appointments; and the allowance of ICE to conduct enforcement actions in or near “sensitive areas” such as schools and churches – a rollback of the Biden administration’s previously set limitations.
In response, City College has reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary college, enacting policies to protect its campus community members who are undocumented immigrants. The Board of Trustees passed a resolution in 2017 during the first Trump administration, declaring the District would not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities.
“City College of San Francisco unequivocally supports the fundamental belief that every person should be treated with dignity and respect and has a right to exist and be who they are without fear of reprisal,” Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey said.
City College and City DREAM partner with the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) to provide free legal services to undocumented and immigrant students.
In addition, the city of San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and 18 other states have issued a lawsuit in a rapid response to the administration’s revocation of birthright citizenship. In recent days, officials have publicly reaffirmed San Francisco’s sanctuary city ordinance.
The Board met Thursday, Jan. 23, to pass a resolution in support of undocumented and LGBTQIA+ students. Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey said he aligns with the language of the Board’s resolution: “City College of San Francisco unequivocally supports the fundamental belief that every person should be treated with dignity and respect and has a right to exist and be who they are without fear of reprisal,” he affirmed.
The UndocuAlly Taskforce sent out mass communication to students on Monday, Jan. 13, reaffirming their commitment “to supporting and protecting our undocumented students and welcoming all members of our diverse community,” along with resources for students, listed below.
- City DREAM: https://www.ccsf.edu/student-services/resource-centers/city-dream
- Schedule a free legal immigration consultation: https://findyourally.com/
- Immigration Institute of the Bay Area https://iibayarea.org/community-college/
- San Francisco Sanctuary City information: https://www.sf.gov/information/sanctuary-city-ordinance
- Know-Your-Rights education in seven languages via the ILRC: https://www.wehaverights.us/
- https://immigrants.sf.gov/ For more immigration legal assistance