Statement on Support for Undocumented and DACA Students at Tufts

November 16, 2016

Statement of Anthony P. Monaco at Sanctuary Campus Walk-Out

This is a critical moment in our country and at this critical juncture it is essential for all of us at Tufts to reaffirm our shared values as a community.

Tufts has been a leader in support of undocumented students and students with Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. For the past year and a half, a group of faculty, staff and students has been working to ensure that these students have the support and resources they need to be successful at Tufts. Those efforts will continue, as will Tufts’ current admissions and financial aid policies.

Tufts is committed to continuing our support of DACA and undocumented students because we have a moral responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of all students regardless of their citizenship status or personal identities.

Protecting our students remains one of our highest priorities.

We are therefore exploring what it would mean to declare Tufts a “sanctuary campus”—and what the implications of that decision might be for our DACA and undocumented students and the university as a whole. We will continue to assess what is best for all of our students and the university in the face of potential upcoming changes in law and policy.

I am truly proud to see the Tufts community coming together to share their concern for our students and to reaffirm our longstanding commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity and compassion.