I applaud the action taken by the Chancellor, Chancellor’s Statement on DACA and the CUNY Board of Trustees, CUNY BOT’s Statement on DACA concerning  President Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. I write today in support of these statements and to reaffirm the commitment I made to our students and campus community in December 2016. Specifically, I want to reassure the campus community that:

  • CSI will take no action to assist in the enforcement of the immigration laws except as required by law;

CSI will continue to protect student record information in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;

  • CSI will not turn over student information to immigration enforcement authorities except pursuant to court order;
  • CSI will not request or gather information about students’ citizenship or immigration status in the course of providing educational or other services or in connection with public safety activities except as required in connection with tuition or financial aid eligibility;
  • CSI will not permit immigration enforcement officials to enter its campuses except as required by a warrant or court order; and
  • CSI will work with city, state, and federal leaders in support of immigration reforms that maximize, not diminish, educational opportunities for all students.

As part of The City University of New York, we will continue to do everything we can to support our DACA students. I wish to remind you of the following resources:

  • CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high-quality, and confidential immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship.
  • For further information or if you have any questions, you can contact Isabel Bucaram, Esq., at CUNY Citizenship Now!, by text, phone call, or WhatsApp at 646.860.5678, or

At the College of Staten Island, we are deeply committed to the security of our students, faculty, and staff, and in the coming days and weeks, we will be making our voices heard in support of calls to members of Congress to pass legislation to protect the young people affected by yesterday’s decision and to safeguard our shared future.