Dear Campus Community:

As our nation continues to have discussions concerning immigration policies, procedures, and laws, I want to emphasize Western Oregon University’s commitment to creating and maintaining a caring and inclusive community for our students, staff, and faculty. We understand that there is uncertainty and stress for many members of our community, as well as for their friends and families. I assure you that we will do whatever we can to create and maintain a safe and supportive learning and working environment.

Western Oregon University welcomes Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, and we remain fully committed to their academic success, safety, and overall well-being. Our nation is largely a nation of immigrants, and we are part of the global community of nations. People coming from all parts of the world have made the nation better in every measure. Though we do not know the future status of programs such as DACA, we are steadfast in our support for our enrolled DACA students and all students, regardless of immigration status.

Oregon has been a Sanctuary State since 1987, meaning it stands for the safety, dignity, and human rights of all Oregonians. To strengthen existing sanctuary laws, the Sanctuary Promise Act was passed in 2021, which increases safety and protection measures for immigrant communities through increased support, as well as transparency and accountability regarding government interactions with federal immigration authorities.

Western Oregon University is also a sanctuary for all, and we will continue to strive to make sure each student and employee feels they can be authentically themselves within our community. This means:

• Western campus public safety officers do not regulate or enforce immigration laws
• Western will not participate in immigration enforcement activities unless required to do so by a judicial warrant
• Western is committed to a safe, inclusive community and respects the rights of each community member to civil discourse
• Western will not tolerate threats or acts of discrimination and will strive to sustain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members of the university community
• Western will follow all requirements and procedures in accordance with Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act and other relevant statutes

Universities are places of plurality, spaces for respectful discussion and exploration of ideas. And I encourage all members of the community to be mindful of other perspectives as we continue improving our university in positive ways. I also encourage you to review this page for DACA and undocumented student support and resources.

As we look to the future, Western will refer all external requests for the immigration status of our community to our legal counsel to determine the legal basis for such requests. Furthermore, Western will remain actively engaged in local and national conversations regarding DACA and related programs designed to protect students and their pursuit of educational opportunities.

As our University Mission states, “Western Oregon University provides a personalized learning community where individuals experience a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.” We will work every day to ensure that is the case. We are here for you and support you.

We. Are. Wolves.

Jesse Peters, President Western Oregon University