Dear Santa Clara community, 

As we learn more each day about federal government actions targeting international students, I write to share an announcement from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a group of over 570 presidents and chancellors committed to increasing public understanding of the impact of immigration policies on higher education. 

Santa Clara University joined 86 members of the Alliance, including associations that represent several hundred universities, in signing an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit challenging the Administration’s revocation of visas and detentions of noncitizen students and faculty. In doing so, Santa Clara is leveraging the power of collective action alongside a wide array of higher education institutions. 

Our Jesuit, Catholic values have much to offer in these times—including the knowledge that each person is created in God’s image, and as such, each of us is deserving of the opportunity to reach our full, God-given potential as members of the Santa Clara community. By signing on to the brief, we affirm our mission and values, including our commitment to safeguarding free speech and halting widespread visa revocations that are creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.

The 1,100 international students at Santa Clara are a vital part of our community. They bring a global perspective and vitality to our campus that help make us a richer learning community. When they graduate, they bring the benefits of a purpose-driven Santa Clara education to communities all over the world and become cherished alumni members of our Bronco family. 

No university is immune from these actions. As Global Engagement recently shared, a handful of our international students have recently had their immigration status canceled.

While we must protect the privacy of the affected students, know that our International Students and Scholars team is helping them access resources and understand their options based on their individual situations. In addition, Global Engagement is closely monitoring the situation and regularly updating its webpage, U.S. Government Updates Impacting Global Engagement, with advice, information, and resources to ensure all international students and scholars are as safe and protected as much as possible and able to pursue their studies and research at Santa Clara. 

Let us be strong in our support and accompaniment of our international students in these uncertain times. We will continue to keep you apprised of significant developments.

Sincerely,

 
Julie Sullivan
President