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In contrast to Donald Trump’s vow to build a wall at our southern border, students and faculty at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) built their own “wall” to safeguard undocumented students.
During a rally held on Jan. 19 at CCSF Mission campus, demonstrators expressed their desire for CCSF to remain a sanctuary for undocumented students, who may be targeted by Trump’s administration, by forming a symbolic “wall of sanctuary.” The demonstration was organized by the American Federation of Teachers Local 2121 (AFT 2121) faculty union.
Approximately 150 students, faculty and administration were present, some holding signs that read “All our students deserve education, not deportation.”
“This is going to be a good moment for students to become aware that they’re not alone,” said Maria Jandres, vice president of the CCSF student council at Mission campus. “City College is a place where they can feel welcome. That’s the message we want to tell the students.”
One promise Trump has made throughout his campaign is to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—the executive order signed by Barack Obama that extended temporary legal stay to undocumenteds who emigrated as children—during his first 100 days in office. His promise has caused turmoil throughout the college community.
Interim Chancellor Susan Lamb has declared that CCSF will reinforce its commitment to protect undocumented students. Lamb plans to lean on Assembly Bill 540, also known as the California Dream Act, a California law passed in 2001 that ensures student confidentiality in the pursuit of higher education while applying for financial applications and services.
“We have a community that values inclusiveness and diversity and that is not going to change,” Lamb said. “We need to make sure that we’re reaching out to them and letting them know that the biggest revenge is to finish their education here and to go on to a U.C., and wherever and make sure that they take advantage of that education.”
The college already offers a resource center called Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement. The program works with undocumented students, communities and families to provide a space that offers selective resources, including legal service, and academic and personal counseling.
CCSF Vice Chancellor Samuel Santos told El Tecolote that the college administration aims to protect the privacy of undocumented students, which means not keeping track of how many undocumented students it serves.
“We don’t know and we don’t want to know,” Santos said
Toward the end of the rally, faculty and students made their way to the front of Mission campus and formed a wall of sanctuary, a direct message to Trump and his promise to target undocumented communities.
“It’s a sad state of affairs that we are here today having to reaffirm our commitment to undocumented students that we serve at City College,” said District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. “It is an institution that has always been welcoming to everyone. Public education and education in general, it can be the great equalizer of society, or it could be the great divider.”