Is Rutgers a Sanctuary Campus?

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he would target federal funding for cities that have declared themselves "sanctuary cities." That includes places such as New York, Chicago and Portland, which have all passed laws that protect illegal immigrants from federal authorities and deportation.

President Trump's order will "strip federal grant money from states and cities that harbor illegal immigrants," White House Spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday. "We'll prioritize the prosecution and deportation of illegal immigrants who have otherwise violated our laws."

But what about Rutgers University? In December, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said the school will protect the privacy of undocumented immigrants attending New Jersey's state university. And just this week, Barchi sent this letter to all students, giving them the opportunity to advocate for undocumented students.

"We have a large undocumented student population here that we support and we encourage," Barchi said during a Rutgers Board of Governors on Dec. 6 in Winants Hall. "We are a safe haven for our immigrant students."

But he stopped short of calling Rugters a "sanctuary campus," as schools such as Columbia University and Wesleyan have done. Dozens of student protesters shut down that meeting when Barchi refused to use the term "sanctuary campus." Some professors would like him to call Rutgers a sanctuary campus, as well.

When asked by Patch whether Rutgers was concerned the school would lose federal funding over the immigration debate, school spokeswoman Karen Smith said Barchi has made the university's position on protecting student rights very clear. Barchi has stated:

• Rutgers does not and will not share undocumented student records without a warrant, subpoena, or court order. Furthermore, Rutgers University will insist that any engagement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on our campus follow due legal process, including requiring a warrant where appropriate.
• Rutgers University police do not inquire into nor record the immigration status of students or other persons unless a serious crime has been committed. Rutgers University does not use E-verify for any purposes other than to comply with longstanding federal law regarding employment eligibility. Immigration status is not a factor in student housing decisions.
• All Rutgers students, regardless of their location, have access to the services of our Immigrant Rights Clinic, run by our law school faculty. The Clinic can provide confidential guidance on questions regarding immigration law.

Additionally, Barchi said he strongly supports New Jersey's Dream Act, where undocumented students who graduate from New Jersey high schools receive in-state tuition. You can read Barchi's official policy on immigration at Rutgers here.

Newark, for example, is a sanctuary city. “Despite the election of Donald Trump, we see no reason to change that policy,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a city news release. “Together with New York and Los Angeles, we do not hold undocumented inmates in jail at the request of the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless the detainer request is accompanied by a judge's order. Undocumented immigrants who are arrested by the Newark Police Division for criminal activity continue to be subject to the law the same as criminal suspects who are American citizens.”

Past coverage:

Rutgers Students Shut Down Meeting Over Immigration