Tufts should implement UIJ's resolution in support of undocumented students

In a crucial step to provide institutional support for undocumented immigrants applying to college, Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate passed United for Immigrant Justice’s (UIJ) "Resolution to Establish Equal Opportunity for Undocumented Students" on Sunday in a nearly unanimous vote. The resolution calls for Tufts Undergraduate Admissions to consider undocumented applicants as domestic students, instead of the current policy that considers them as international students. In addition, the resolution aims to implement uniform financial aid awards for undocumented students and improve support throughout their time at Tufts. The university should implement these  policy changes, thereby making a bold move toward opening up educational opportunities for undocumented immigrants.

Increasing financial support for undocumented applicants is essential for providing access to Tufts for undocumented immigrants. Because these applicants are currently recognized as international students, the financial aid policies that apply to them do not adequately meet their needs. Tufts should provide greater financial backing to undocumented applicants to provide the economic support that these students may realistically need in order to attend. In doing so, the university could take a concrete step toward improving its accessibility and inclusion of all students.

The deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) allows undocumented students to pursue a college education in the United States. However, there are many requirements to be eligible for DACA status. These include entry to the United States before one's 16th birthday, a high school degree or General Education Development (GED) certificate and a record clean of a felony or a significant misdemeanor. Many undocumented students are not eligible for DACA, yet still hope to attend college and are unable to do so. The recently passed resolution calls for Tufts to recognize and include undocumented applicants both with and without DACA status.

Tufts is currently one of many colleges and universities that considers undocumented students as international students. It should become one of the first to change its policy. We call on President Monaco and the administration to implement the policies proposed by UIJ's resolution, which has already received unprecedented levels of student support. If Tufts is centered on social justice, there is no better way to show it than to reaffirm the basic humanity of all people who live in our country, regardless of legal immigration status, by providing access to higher education.