sanctuary school status
by: mayQuestion: If I know my roommate is undocumented and I know her legal defense is being paid for by Cal can I get into trouble with immigration for not reporting her? A policeman stopped me today as I was leaving the dorm and asked me if I knew any undocumented students? I just answered that I had no idea what that meant and then I walked away quickly. I am scared though that I could be held responsible in some way as I know what is going on. Not sure what to do.
#1by: zip
May, you might be held accountable in some way if you answer a question from the police in a false and misleading way. Be careful. Times are a changing and you have to take care of yourself. You are not responsible for your roommate. Your roommate and family made the choice to defy the laws of our country and it is there choice alone. Do not get caught up in this drama. Be safe.
#2by: may
Just wanted to let people know that something is going on here on campus. I was contacted by mail by the BPD to contact them regarding an immigration matter. Not sure if anyone else is experiencing this situation. I called my parents and they are going to contact the Deans office. I scheduled an appt to speak with the Deans office today as I feel really uncomfortable getting in the middle of this situation. I feel like its the schools issue and not mine as I didn't ask for this roommate. Awful situation. My roommate contacted her parents and now has fled. No clue what is going on.
#3by: justgo
Its not your problem so don't stress. They are just trying to pressure you. A hall mate of mine has similar situation with his roommate who is undocumented. The roommate got three letters from police to call them and when he didn't respond they showed up in person at his door. His parents hired attorney to protect their son. Crazy situation. These people don't belong at Cal in my opinion.
#5by: hoho
I agree with haha. I think we sometimes get sucked into somehow believing that the law doesn't apply to those issues where we disagree with the law. It is a difficult issue to be sure but how illegal immigrants have been 'repackaged' as 'undocumented people' is something that certainly clouds the issue and I'm sure it was done this way intentionally. It doesn't help when I read today that the CAL system supports the legal defense of 'undocumented' individuals to the tune of over $5 million a year. So, if I see my school supporting these undocumented students, how can the OP have faith that they will be supported by this system if they come forward and speak out? I am not sure what message this contravention of our federal laws by our school is giving to us as students as I am now totally confused. I feel for the roommate situation but agree that school has put you in an awful situation. I would be careful though as retribution could be real risk and its not worth getting into a dangerous situation. I would request a roommate transfer immediately. Based on the school policies of supporting the presence of 'undocumented people' and providing for their legal defense I don't think I would trust the school or local police AT ALL. Take care of yourself as this school and police have their own agenda.
#6by: hopeless
The story gets better and better. I called the Chancellors office for the 4th time and this time was told that they were not authorized to speak with me about the situation that I am involved in with my roommate. Great. My parents got me an attorney and thankfully I can leave for a different room shortly. My RA said not to speak to anyone about what is happening to me but I wanted to put this all out somewhere as I think it totally wrong that the school is not taking responsibility for a situation that they created. The thing that really got me was that I asked my roommate why they weren't trying to pursue citizenship and they simply replied 'why?'. I guess maybe if people got all the benefits of citizenship without the responsibilities then that's why we have the issues that we have in the US. I am angry but also afraid of retaliation but if called to court I will definitely testify. Sad that things have come to this.
#7by: run
Why isn't our paper writing about this story????? I know they have their own political agenda and only selectively report the 'news' on campus but honestly this is a nationwide issue and CA is in the line of fire of Washington on the issue of Santuary cities/schools etc. Looks like the paper is asleep at the switch. Why can't the Chancellors office put our a letter to the students too to help us know what to do? They are probably afraid of the PR and legal ramifications of such a letter!! Poor leadership in my view. I think it is so wrong that the true 'victims' in this case have to pay out of pocket to protect themselves and also that they have to live in fear of retribution. This seems totally assbackwards.
#8by: uh...no
#10by: ouch
I got one of the letters today asking about my roommate. I ask my RA and they said they can't get involved in the situation and I should speak with my parents and get an attorney. I think the law school might have a clinic so I will go over there and see if they have any ideas. Truly don't see why this is now my problem. I told my roommate about the letter and they said they also got a letter but that they weren't going to respond. This is a mess and not sure where to turn.
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by: agree
These people have to either show a willingness to start on the path to citizenship or GO! I am so angry to hear that our school supports the legal defense of what amounts to criminals. I think the OP should get a new roommate immediately and not get involved in the school's policy/mandate to provide sanctuary to people that are choosing to thumb their noses at US laws. Down the hall from me is someone who is also illegal/undocumented and is now the 4th generation of their family to hold this 'status'. All I can say is that if a family (50+ people in this family) collectively cannot figure out how to get citizenship after 4 generations then its probably safe to say that they should be returned to their country of origin. I don't get why we should have sympathy for these people who are taking up space at schools across the country yet don't comply with the laws of our country. I also don't understand why there are different standards for Cal Scholars based on where you come from?