WSU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released a statement supporting efforts to petition WSU’s administration to make WSU a sanctuary campus, providing a safe environment for undocumented students.

Elizabeth Siler, clinical assistant professor of English, wrote in the statement that more than 28 universities nationwide have proposed becoming safe spaces where students can attend class without fear of deportation.

The petition asks that the university ban all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration enforcement officials from campus. It also requests that immigration officials be blocked from receiving student info without their permission.

The petition also calls for WSU to make a public statement urging the government to protect undocumented students from deportation and to help them on the path to citizenship.

In a previous statement, President Kirk Schulz, Provost Dan Bernardo and Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Melynda Huskey affirmed that WSU Police will not target students based on immigration status.

“The WSU Police Department does not, as a matter of practice, ask about immigration status when contacting individuals,” the release read. “WSU does not, as a matter of practice, provide student information to ICE unless required by subpoena, law or with a student’s permission. That has not changed.”

It also stated that WSU will support undocumented students.

“More importantly, we strongly affirm that our institution continues to support undocumented students in their quest for higher education and a college degree,” the release read.

WSU’s United Greek Council (UGC) released a resolution calling for immediate action to improve the campus climate for minority populations. The resolution also calls for the immediate designation of WSU as a sanctuary campus as well as the immediate creation of a DREAM center for undocumented students, similar to the Leadership Without Borders at the University of Washington.

It also calls for the addition of immigration status as a protected class under Executive Policy 15 that details the prohibition of discrimination against specific classes.

Keyla Palominos, co-chair of Crimson Group, a group for undocumented students, posted on Facebook calling for students to join in a campus-wide walk-out on today at noon in order to help make WSU a sanctuary campus.

Palominos stated that demonstrators will move from the Todd Hall steps to the Lighty bridge and some undocumented students will deliver their testimonies inside the French Administration Building.