Abstract:
A resolution calling on Cornell University to protect undocumented, DACA, international, refugee, and other immigrant Cornell community members through the implementation and protection of various programs, as well as through training.
Whereas, In the weeks following the 2025 United States Presidential inauguration, there have been several Executive Orders aimed to negatively impact the education of undocumented, Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA), international, refugee, and other immigrant members of the Cornell community.
Whereas, Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, a designated Sanctuary City, and Tompkins County, a designated Sanctuary County;
Whereas, Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, which is located within 100 miles of an international border;
Whereas,Cornell’s ten stated core values include the following: “Embrace difference and diversity,” “Promote cross-cultural and cross-national understanding,” “Be a collaborative, collegial and caring community,” “Be accessible and affordable to all who meet high academic standards”;
Whereas, Cornell University’s Administration sent a campus-wide email on January 28, 2025, with an additional email on February 21, 2025, stressing the University’s commitment to continuing its support of all members of the Cornell community;
Whereas, Graduate and professional students face unique challenges, including visa and work permit restrictions, and are at increased risk of facing deportation or loss of immigration status due to participation in political or social advocacy, and are deserving of protections;
Whereas, The Welcome Corps on Campus (WCC), is an educational pathway initiative that enables U.S. colleges and universities to play a leading role in resettling refugee undergraduate students. The WCC operates under the U.S. Department of State for refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP),
Whereas, The WCC is primarily designed to support refugee students enrolling in associate or bachelor's degree programs. Eligibility criteria specify that applicants must be between 18-24 years old, single without children, and seeking enrollment as first-year students in undergraduate programs. Consequently, this initiative does not currently extend to graduate or professional students,
Whereas, Campus communities, to support graduate and professional students, can actively participate in the program by forming campus private sponsor groups. These groups, comprising faculty, staff, students, and community members, collaborate to provide comprehensive support to incoming refugee students, assisting them in their academic and social integration,
Whereas, The WCC coalition could provide support to graduate and professional students in the form of identification and placement of refugee students, academic preparation of refugee students overseas, overseas travel and immigration processing, preparation and application training and support, fundraising efforts, implementation handbook and checklists, ongoing resources, training, and support in identifying and developing sustainable funding mechanisms.
Be It Therefore Resolved, Cornell University should actively be intent on protecting undocumented, DACA, international, refugee, and other immigrants within the Cornell community to the fullest extent.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University should commit to becoming a Sanctuary Campus, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of immigrant students, staff, faculty, and community members by refusing to share information with federal agencies like ICE without clear legal obligations. This term, Sanctuary Campus, mirrors the classification of sanctuary cities, and while it does not promise that universities will provide refuge for undocumented immigrants, it does challenge campuses to do what they can, within the law, to protect residents from deportation.
Be It Further Resolved, If the University or a University official is required by law to give information to any external enforcement official (including ICE agents, FBI agents, or other state or local police), the University should, to the fullest extent legally possible, provide prompt notification to individuals whose information is requested by external enforcement agencies.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University implements a yearly mandatory “Know Your Rights,” training for all Cornell students, including graduate and professional students, during first-year orientation regarding protocols for what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any external law enforcement official requests an affiliates’ information.
Be It Further Resolved, this training for students should be offered alongside the “Understanding Title IX and Related University Policies and Procedures,” “Mission Sustainability,” and “New Student Online Alcohol and Other Drug Education,” Canvas training modules.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University implements a yearly mandatory “Know Your Rights,” training for all members of the Cornell University Police Department, Cornell University faculty, and staff, regarding protocols for what to do if ICE or any external law enforcement official requests an affiliate’s information.
Be It Further Resolved, through annual mandatory training of all faculty and staff, Cornell University must instruct members of the Cornell community that if any external law enforcement official arrives at a University office or calls, they may not do the following:
answer questions about Cornell students, staff, and faculty, instead they may request credentials or identification of agent(s),
grant permission to access Cornell records or to search Cornell premises without first consulting with the Cornell University Police Department and/or the Office of the General Counsel,
“accept service” of any subpoena, warrant, or request from ICE or external law enforcement officials, as only the Cornell University Police Department and the Office of the General Counsel are authorized to review such documents,
Providing the student with qualified legal counsel.
Assisting in gathering the necessary material required to appeal the visa cancellation.
Lobbying the appropriate immigration authorities to reverse their visa cancellation.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University implements “Know Your Rights” training for all dormitory building Resident Advisors (RAs), Residential Housing Directors, and all staff members working within dorm buildings, instructing them on proper conduct during engagement with external law enforcement officials in Cornell dormitory buildings.
Be It Further Resolved, in the new training implemented for all members of the Cornell community, they should be taught touse the following language while interacting with external law enforcement officials: “I am not authorized to answer your question,” “I am not authorized to review legal documents,” and “I will call my supervisor now.”
Be It Further Resolved, In the case where any member of the Cornell community (students, staff, faculty, etc.) is targeted for deportation, Cornell University will commit to providing the Cornell community member free legal immigration assistance.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University must expand access to free legal services through new and existing initiatives, including but not limited to: the University should fund a full-time Clinical Teaching Fellow and/or a staff attorney in the 1L Immigration Law & Advocacy Clinic at Cornell Law School to support the Cornell immigrant community and their immediate families. The University should monitor the expanded capacity to assess whether the Clinical fellow and/or staff attorney is meeting the representation needs of the most vulnerable immigrants at Cornell. Although the 1L Immigration Law & Advocacy Clinic has provided significant services to date, as a one-semester teaching clinic with just one faculty member, the 1L Clinic is structurally unable to provide the volume of service the Cornell community needs and deserves.
Be It Further Resolved, The University must also increase funding for Undocumented & DACA Student Support and First Generation & Low-Income Student Support. This may include but is not limited to academic and social mentorship, advocacy, and tax support.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University must reaffirm its commitment to protect student records and uphold the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University must designate all religious spaces, including but not limited to Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel, as spaces exempt from activity by ICE and other external enforcement officials, as the Religious Freedom Reform Act prevents the government from imposing substantial burdens on a person's religious practice.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University must ensure the continued existence of programs through offices such as the First Generation & Low-Income Student Support, the Gender Equity Resource Center, the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making, the Latinx Student Empowerment Center, the Black Student Empowerment Center, Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, Asian and Pacific Islander Program Center, and others that provide resources designated for students who have a vulnerable immigration status.
Be It Further Resolved: In the case that an international student breaks the Student Code of Conduct in the process of demonstrating or advocating under their First Amendment rights, Cornell University should ensure that no student’s punishment should invoke or possibly invoke cancellation of their visa or federally provided funding. This means the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards should refrain from the harshest punishments, such as full academic suspensions or temporary suspensions that extend past three weeks, as these sanctions lead to de-enrollment and, thus, the revocation of a student visa.
Be It Further Resolved: In the case of a Cornell community member’s visa being terminated for demonstrating or advocating under their First Amendment rights, the university should provide the student support if requested by said student. This support must include:
Be It Further Resolved: In the case where an undocumented member of the Cornell community is charged with a non-violent crime in relation to a demonstration, Cornell University will ensure the administration and members of the Cornell University Police Department will not release the individual's immigration status or personal information publicly or to federal forces unless legally obligated.
Be It Further Resolved: In the case of faculty and staff who demonstrate or advocate under their First Amendment rights, Cornell University pledges to provide legal counsel when requested in the case of legal persecution and must refrain from all retaliation, including termination of employment or threats of termination of employment.
Be It Further Resolved, Cornell University implements an expanded form of WCC at Cornell to improve opportunity and access for refugee members of our Cornell community.
Be it Finally Resolved, Cornell University reaffirms its commitments to undocumented, DACA, international, refugee, and other immigrant members of the Cornell community.
