100 signatures reached
To: Renu Khator and the University of Houston System Administration
Support Immigrant Students at UH (Current/Former Coogs: Sign with Your UH Email!)
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Dear President Khator and the University of Houston System Administration,
We are writing as concerned students, alumni, and supporters of immigrant rights—from the University of Houston and beyond. Many immigrant students, including those who are undocumented or part of the DACA program, face increasing uncertainty due to shifting federal policies. These students contribute immensely to the UH community, but many feel as though they lack the institutional support necessary to thrive and to navigate the challenges imposed by increasingly restrictive immigration policies.
We urge you to take a stand by:
- Joining the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration—a coalition of university leaders advocating for policies that protect and support immigrant students—to align UH with peer institutions championing these vital efforts.
- Strengthening the visibility and accessibility of immigrant support at UH by ensuring that offices serving immigrant students explicitly mention undocumented and immigrant communities on their websites, social media, and outreach materials. While the Center for Student Empowerment (CSE) and International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) offer resources for students, these services are not widely known or explicitly marketed as safe spaces. Both offices should clearly state their support for undocumented students and outline available services.
- Enhancing and targeting outreach efforts via marketing campaigns that highlight the specific services available to immigrant students, such as legal support, financial assistance, mental health resources, and academic guidance. Currently, many students do not immediately recognize the CSE or ISSSO as places where they can receive immigration-related support. Social media, newsletters, and campus events should directly address immigrant students and make it clear that UH welcomes, supports, and protects them.
- Issuing an official statement reaffirming UH’s commitment to protecting immigrant students and making clear that the university is a safe and supportive space, regardless of immigration status. This statement should publicly outline protections for undocumented students, including confidentiality policies and non-cooperation with immigration enforcement.
- Taking steps to declare UH as a sanctuary campus, ensuring that the university will not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement on campus and will take every legal measure available to protect students, faculty, and staff from immigration-related threats.
As one of the most diverse universities in the nation, UH has the opportunity to lead by example in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, feel safe, supported, and valued. These actions would not only strengthen UH’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, but also provide real, tangible support for students who need it most.
We hope you will take these critical steps to stand with your students and to ensure that all UH community members, regardless of immigration status, feel supported and valued. We look forward to your leadership on this critical issue.
Sincerely,
The Students, Alumni, and Community Allies of the University of Houston
Sincerely,
The Students, Alumni, and Community Allies of the University of Houston
Why is this important?
Immigrant students are an essential part of our UH community, yet many face unnecessary barriers due to restrictive policies and lack of institutional support. By joining our campaign, you can help push UH to take action—ensuring immigrant students have the resources, protections, and advocacy they deserve. Together, we can make UH a truly inclusive and supportive environment for all.