Columbia University to provide sanctuary, financial help for undocumented students
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Columbia University is planning to provide sanctuary and financial support for undocumented students as many face concerns about immigration policy under President-elect Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump State Department appointee arrested in connection with Capitol riot Intelligence community investigating links between lawmakers, Capitol rioters Michelle Obama slams 'partisan actions' to 'curtail access to ballot box' MORE, The Columbia Spectator reported.

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Provost John Coatsworth said in an email sent to students and teachers Monday that the university would not let immigration officials onto its campus without a warrant or provide the information of undocumented students to authorities without a court-ordered subpoena.

If the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is terminated — as Trump has threatened to do — the university said it would increase financial aid and other support to undocumented students who lose the right to work.

Trump's victory has "prompted intense concern for the values we hold dear and for members of our community who are apprehensive about what the future holds," the provost said in the email.
 
“The experience of undocumented students at the College and Columbia Engineering, from the time they first seek admission through their graduation, will not be burdened in any way by their undocumented status," he said. 
 
University President Lee Bollinger said the university is in a period where it doesn't know what will happen to "a lot of students and faculty and staff with respect to immigration policy.
 
"There are lots of areas that are uncertain and it’s a deeply puzzling and concerning time,” he said in a statement.

“Where we have opportunities to provide specific policy decisions like financial aid to students, we’ll think about these very carefully and act where we can.”

Faculty members and students at universities across the country have been asking school leaders to make their campuses sanctuaries for undocumented students who could face immigration action under the president-elect.

The move comes after several leading U.S. mayors have promised their cities will be safe havens for law-abiding undocumented immigrants.

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