Navigating the complexities of higher education is challenging, but for immigrant students and employees at Columbia University, this challenge is compounded by the uncertainties and legal fears associated with immigration status in the United States. The constant evolution of immigration law presents both a legal maze and an emotional rollercoaster for these students, who strive to balance rigorous academic responsibilities along with the precariousness of their personal circumstances. 

These hurdles are not just theoretical; they are lived realities that profoundly impact the educational experience of this community. Our collective experience at Columbia underscores the urgent need for strengthened legal support to help our immigrant students thrive academically and emotionally.

We call upon the Columbia Law School and Columbia University administrations to take concrete steps to enhance the legal resources available to our immigrant employees and student body. Specifically, we urge the institution to retain additional outside legal counsel who specialize in immigration law. This counsel would provide essential services such as advising on visa statuses, employment rights, and navigating the complexities of immigration-related legal matters for students, employees, and their immediate families.

It is paramount that the institution recognize and act upon its responsibility to support all members of its diverse student body. By investing in more comprehensive legal resources, Columbia will not only uplift its immigrant students but also foster an inclusive environment where diversity enhances learning for everyone.

Our Specific Demands: 

We urge Columbia University to retain additional outside legal counsel to provide immigration-related legal services to our immigrant and international students, employees, and their immediate family members. We request a hotline available with an on-call attorney who can provide legal counsel and other assistance on time-sensitive matters. Students should be able to focus on their education without fear and feel fully supported by the University in addressing critical legal matters that affect their safety, stability, and ability to remain enrolled. We call on your support to make this request for a long-overdue investment into student safety from Columbia’s administration. 

Our request is far from radical. We can look to many of our sister schools for guidance, such as NYU Immigrant Defense Initiative (IDI), UCLA’s Immigrant Legal Services Center, and Harvard’s on-call attorney service available to students and their families. Our demand is precisely parallel to the direness of our situation, if not slightly below. 

Join LaLSA in urging Columbia Law School and Columbia University to prioritize this critical issue. Sign the petition to amplify our voices and demand that our school steps up to provide the crucial support that is so desperately needed.