IN SUPPORT OF SANCTUARY SCHOOLS AND CAMPUSES

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of undocumented students face renewed threats of deportation; and

WHEREAS, faculty and staff are being placed on watch lists; and

WHEREAS, swastikas, nooses and racist graffiti are appearing on college campuses and in school districts nationwide; and

WHEREAS, it is paramount to defend the principles of academic freedom and specifically decry and defend against blacklisting faculty; and

WHEREAS, we must aggressively protect the civil rights of all members of our community from crime, including hate crimes and sexual assault:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers encourages school districts, colleges and universities to refuse to give customs enforcement officials physical access to their institutions for investigating and/or detaining students, faculty and workers; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourages locals to advocate that their school districts, colleges and universities prohibit their public safety officers from inquiring about and/or recording immigration status or enforcing immigration laws; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourages locals to advocate that their school districts, colleges and universities refuse to voluntarily release academic records, employment records or membership lists of organizations to any law enforcement agencies targeting individuals solely on the basis of their immigration status, religion, racial or ethnic background, sex or gender, sexual identity or political affiliation; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourages locals to support and collaborate with school districts, colleges and universities once these policies are established; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT advocates for educational institutions to provide the financial, academic and social supports to students, faculty and campus workers necessary to ensure true educational opportunity and economic well-being, recognizing that these supports are particularly vital for people who may be targets because of immigration status, religion, racial or ethnic background, sex or gender identity, sexual preference or political affiliation.