For a Concerted Effort on Immigration at Berea
The Issue
Petition for a Concerted Effort on Immigration
For the Consideration of: Lyle Roelofs-President, Scott Steele-Interim Provost, Steve Gowler-Interim Provost, Dwayne Mack-Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Matthew Saderholm-Dean of Faculty , Jessica Pena- Assistant Director of Admissions, Sylvia Asante-Dean of Labor
Authored by: Hamilton Craig-Executive Officer of FEE (Craigh@berea.edu), Elvia Rojas-Executive Officer of FEE (Rojase@berea.edu) Ashley Hunter-Member of BRAID and SOB (Huntera@berea.edu) Tyrell Banks-Chairperson of SOB (Bankst@berea.edu), J.J. Kiboi-Chairperson of BRAID (Kiboij@berea.edu)
Background
We believe that, in the spirit of Berea’s scriptural foundation, which contends that “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” the College must open admissions to undocumented students. Berea once accepted a cadre of undocumented applicants, but has since limited admissions to those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[1] DACA covers only people who meet an elaborate set of requirements, including arrival in the US under the age of 16 before or in 2007, physical presence in the US in 2012, never having been convicted of a “significant misdemeanor,” and more.[2] While there are around 10.5 million undocumented people in the US, fewer than 641,000 were covered by DACA in 2019.[3] By excluding fully undocumented people in its admissions process, Berea is greatly limiting who can receive a Berea college education.
There is no law requiring colleges to ask about immigration status in the admissions process.[4] Berea justifies their decision to go above and beyond the law in excluding undocumented people with the claim that fully undocumented people will not be able to participate in the school labor program due to not having legal work status. Given that, at one time, undocumented students were allowed at Berea college, we do not believe the labor program presents an insurmountable barrier. We believe, rather, that the administration is using this technicality to present a false picture of helplessness.
Admitting undocumented immigrants is in keeping with Berea College’s mission to serve Appalachia.[5] Undocumented immigrants are present in significant numbers in the states that compose Berea’s admissions territory.[6] A December 2020 article on the website 100 Days in Appalachia highlights Greene and Knox counties, two Appalachian counties targeted by Berea college, as hubs of undocumented immigration and loci of enhanced deportation efforts.[7] Another recent article in the Asheville Citizen Times discusses the harsh plight of undocumented farmworkers in Western North Carolina in the time of Coronavirus.[8] We believe that any institution committed to uplifting Appalachians must be committed to the undocumented community.
Concern for the undocumented is also demanded by Berea’s commitment to those with limited resources.[9] Wherever they are found, undocumented people constitute one of the most economically marginalized communities in the United States. They experience nearly double the poverty rate of people born in the United States and, unlike other immigrants, their wealth does not tend to grow in proportion to the amount of time they spend in the U.S.[10] Their insecurity is enhanced by the constant menace of deportation.
A Berea education can make a tremendous difference for members of this population. Due to an ICE policy discouraging enforcement on college campuses, college can be a place of sanctuary for the undocumented.[11] Another compelling reason for Berea to change its admissions policy is that college may soon offer a path to citizenship. The American Dream and Promise Act passed the House on March 18.[12] This bill would make a bachelor’s degree or two years of college attendance possible criteria for citizenship.[13] Finally, a Berea education confers intrinsic rewards, and economic and social benefits, not available at any other college. These rewards should be available to the undocumented people of Appalachia.
As America aspires to throw off the hatred and division of the past four years, it is incumbent upon Berea to bravely fulfill its historic role as sanctuary and stepping stone for the oppressed of America. We direct the administration to consider the brave example of President Hutchins, who authorized the admission of Japanese-American students during the period of internment.[14] If Berea College is to “assert the kinship of all people,” as promised in the Great Commitments, it cannot continue to ignore the plight of undocumented Americans.[15]
Demands
The demands below are partly based on a 2019 bill introduced in the Student Government Association by Lee Myers, called “a Resolution to Introduce a Concerted Effort on Immigration.” This bill was passed by the SGA but, according to an SGA representative, it was “lost” once it came before the General Faculty Assembly. The changes proposed here seek not only to move the college towards admitting undocumented students, but to holistically shift the culture of the institution towards a greater awareness of the concerns facing non-citizen immigrants. This shift should include the provision of enhanced support to non-citizen, non-international students already present at the college.
By signing this petition, you demand that:
1. The college will begin developing a plan for admitting fully undocumented students.
2. The college will commit to the hiring of faculty and staff who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting non-citizen, non-international students.
3. The college will establish a new committee to examine institutional approaches to supporting current and future non-citizen, non-international students.
4. The college will adopt a clear, written, publicized policy of noncooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such a policy should include:
. Commitment never to share information about students’ immigration status without their consent.
. Refusal to allow ICE agents to enter the campus without a warrant
. Refusal to honor any requests for information or assistance by ICE
. Prohibiting members of Public Safety from cooperating with ICE or asking about students’ immigration status
. Commitment to condemn any attempt by ICE to enter campus with or without a warrant, and to invoke the Memorandum on Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations (https://www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/10029.2-policy.pdf which discourages ICE from pursuing enforcement on college campuses.
5. An initial report on progress towards implementing these reforms will be made to the writers of this petition by May 18th.
[1] This NPR story from 2011 features testimonials from undocumented students at Berea College:
“Hard Times Inspire Kentucky College Students,” NPR, accessed March 6, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142889056/hard-times-inspire-ky-college-students-to-action
[2] “Who Qualifies for Deferred Action as an Immigrant Student or Graduate,” NOLO, accessed March 6, 2021, https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/applying-deferred-action-dream-act-student.html
[3] “How Many DACA recipients are there in the United States,” USA Facts, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-daca-recipients-are-there-united-states/
“Key Findings About U.S. Immigrants,” Pew Research Center, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/
[4] “Advising Undocumented Students,” Education Professionals, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/financial-aid/undocumented-students
[5] For the Great Commitments, see “Great Commitments,” Berea College, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.berea.edu/the-great-commitments/
[6] For a state-by-state projection of undocumented populations, see “Unauthorized Immigrant Population Profiles,” Migration Policy Institute, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/us-immigration-policy-program-data-hub/unauthorized-immigrant-population-profiles For Berea’s admissions territory see “Berea’s Admissions Territory,” Berea College 2020-2021 Catalogue, accessed March 28, 2021, http://catalog.berea.edu/en/Current/Catalog/Admissions-and-Financial-Aid/Admissions/Berea-s-Admissions-Territory
[7] Caitlyn Myers, “ICE Contracts with Metropolitan Knoxville Generate Fear with Rural Migrants,” 100 Days in Appalachia, December 1, 2020, https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2020/12/ice-contracts-with-metropolitan-knoxville-generate-fear-with-rural-immigrants/
[8] Brian Gordon, “WNC Undocumented Community Face Unique Hurdles and Supports During Coronavirus,” Citizen Times, April 6, 2020, https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/04/06/coronavirus-undocumented-community-wnc-has-covid-19-challenges/2920979001/
[9] “Great Commitments.”
[10] “A Portrait of Unauthorized Immigrants in the U.S.,” Pew Research Center, accessed March 5, 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2009/04/14/a-portrait-of-unauthorized-immigrants-in-the-united-states/
[11] For more on this policy, see demand number 4.
[12] “House Passes Immigration Bills With Path to Citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ and Farmworkers,” CNN, accessed March 21, 2021, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daca-immigration-reform-farmworkers-citizenship-house-passes-bills/
[13] U.S. Congress, House, the Dream and Promise Act of 2021, HR 6, 117th Cong., 1st session, passed the House March 18, 2021, https://www.aila.org/File/Related/21030440a.pdf
[14] “About the Department,” Asian Studies, Berea College, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.berea.edu/ast/
[15] “Great Commitments.”
The Issue
Petition for a Concerted Effort on Immigration
For the Consideration of: Lyle Roelofs-President, Scott Steele-Interim Provost, Steve Gowler-Interim Provost, Dwayne Mack-Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Matthew Saderholm-Dean of Faculty , Jessica Pena- Assistant Director of Admissions, Sylvia Asante-Dean of Labor
Authored by: Hamilton Craig-Executive Officer of FEE (Craigh@berea.edu), Elvia Rojas-Executive Officer of FEE (Rojase@berea.edu) Ashley Hunter-Member of BRAID and SOB (Huntera@berea.edu) Tyrell Banks-Chairperson of SOB (Bankst@berea.edu), J.J. Kiboi-Chairperson of BRAID (Kiboij@berea.edu)
Background
We believe that, in the spirit of Berea’s scriptural foundation, which contends that “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” the College must open admissions to undocumented students. Berea once accepted a cadre of undocumented applicants, but has since limited admissions to those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[1] DACA covers only people who meet an elaborate set of requirements, including arrival in the US under the age of 16 before or in 2007, physical presence in the US in 2012, never having been convicted of a “significant misdemeanor,” and more.[2] While there are around 10.5 million undocumented people in the US, fewer than 641,000 were covered by DACA in 2019.[3] By excluding fully undocumented people in its admissions process, Berea is greatly limiting who can receive a Berea college education.
There is no law requiring colleges to ask about immigration status in the admissions process.[4] Berea justifies their decision to go above and beyond the law in excluding undocumented people with the claim that fully undocumented people will not be able to participate in the school labor program due to not having legal work status. Given that, at one time, undocumented students were allowed at Berea college, we do not believe the labor program presents an insurmountable barrier. We believe, rather, that the administration is using this technicality to present a false picture of helplessness.
Admitting undocumented immigrants is in keeping with Berea College’s mission to serve Appalachia.[5] Undocumented immigrants are present in significant numbers in the states that compose Berea’s admissions territory.[6] A December 2020 article on the website 100 Days in Appalachia highlights Greene and Knox counties, two Appalachian counties targeted by Berea college, as hubs of undocumented immigration and loci of enhanced deportation efforts.[7] Another recent article in the Asheville Citizen Times discusses the harsh plight of undocumented farmworkers in Western North Carolina in the time of Coronavirus.[8] We believe that any institution committed to uplifting Appalachians must be committed to the undocumented community.
Concern for the undocumented is also demanded by Berea’s commitment to those with limited resources.[9] Wherever they are found, undocumented people constitute one of the most economically marginalized communities in the United States. They experience nearly double the poverty rate of people born in the United States and, unlike other immigrants, their wealth does not tend to grow in proportion to the amount of time they spend in the U.S.[10] Their insecurity is enhanced by the constant menace of deportation.
A Berea education can make a tremendous difference for members of this population. Due to an ICE policy discouraging enforcement on college campuses, college can be a place of sanctuary for the undocumented.[11] Another compelling reason for Berea to change its admissions policy is that college may soon offer a path to citizenship. The American Dream and Promise Act passed the House on March 18.[12] This bill would make a bachelor’s degree or two years of college attendance possible criteria for citizenship.[13] Finally, a Berea education confers intrinsic rewards, and economic and social benefits, not available at any other college. These rewards should be available to the undocumented people of Appalachia.
As America aspires to throw off the hatred and division of the past four years, it is incumbent upon Berea to bravely fulfill its historic role as sanctuary and stepping stone for the oppressed of America. We direct the administration to consider the brave example of President Hutchins, who authorized the admission of Japanese-American students during the period of internment.[14] If Berea College is to “assert the kinship of all people,” as promised in the Great Commitments, it cannot continue to ignore the plight of undocumented Americans.[15]
Demands
The demands below are partly based on a 2019 bill introduced in the Student Government Association by Lee Myers, called “a Resolution to Introduce a Concerted Effort on Immigration.” This bill was passed by the SGA but, according to an SGA representative, it was “lost” once it came before the General Faculty Assembly. The changes proposed here seek not only to move the college towards admitting undocumented students, but to holistically shift the culture of the institution towards a greater awareness of the concerns facing non-citizen immigrants. This shift should include the provision of enhanced support to non-citizen, non-international students already present at the college.
By signing this petition, you demand that:
1. The college will begin developing a plan for admitting fully undocumented students.
2. The college will commit to the hiring of faculty and staff who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting non-citizen, non-international students.
3. The college will establish a new committee to examine institutional approaches to supporting current and future non-citizen, non-international students.
4. The college will adopt a clear, written, publicized policy of noncooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such a policy should include:
. Commitment never to share information about students’ immigration status without their consent.
. Refusal to allow ICE agents to enter the campus without a warrant
. Refusal to honor any requests for information or assistance by ICE
. Prohibiting members of Public Safety from cooperating with ICE or asking about students’ immigration status
. Commitment to condemn any attempt by ICE to enter campus with or without a warrant, and to invoke the Memorandum on Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations (https://www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/10029.2-policy.pdf which discourages ICE from pursuing enforcement on college campuses.
5. An initial report on progress towards implementing these reforms will be made to the writers of this petition by May 18th.
[1] This NPR story from 2011 features testimonials from undocumented students at Berea College:
“Hard Times Inspire Kentucky College Students,” NPR, accessed March 6, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142889056/hard-times-inspire-ky-college-students-to-action
[2] “Who Qualifies for Deferred Action as an Immigrant Student or Graduate,” NOLO, accessed March 6, 2021, https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/applying-deferred-action-dream-act-student.html
[3] “How Many DACA recipients are there in the United States,” USA Facts, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-daca-recipients-are-there-united-states/
“Key Findings About U.S. Immigrants,” Pew Research Center, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/
[4] “Advising Undocumented Students,” Education Professionals, accessed March 6, 2021,
https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/financial-aid/undocumented-students
[5] For the Great Commitments, see “Great Commitments,” Berea College, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.berea.edu/the-great-commitments/
[6] For a state-by-state projection of undocumented populations, see “Unauthorized Immigrant Population Profiles,” Migration Policy Institute, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/us-immigration-policy-program-data-hub/unauthorized-immigrant-population-profiles For Berea’s admissions territory see “Berea’s Admissions Territory,” Berea College 2020-2021 Catalogue, accessed March 28, 2021, http://catalog.berea.edu/en/Current/Catalog/Admissions-and-Financial-Aid/Admissions/Berea-s-Admissions-Territory
[7] Caitlyn Myers, “ICE Contracts with Metropolitan Knoxville Generate Fear with Rural Migrants,” 100 Days in Appalachia, December 1, 2020, https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2020/12/ice-contracts-with-metropolitan-knoxville-generate-fear-with-rural-immigrants/
[8] Brian Gordon, “WNC Undocumented Community Face Unique Hurdles and Supports During Coronavirus,” Citizen Times, April 6, 2020, https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/04/06/coronavirus-undocumented-community-wnc-has-covid-19-challenges/2920979001/
[9] “Great Commitments.”
[10] “A Portrait of Unauthorized Immigrants in the U.S.,” Pew Research Center, accessed March 5, 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2009/04/14/a-portrait-of-unauthorized-immigrants-in-the-united-states/
[11] For more on this policy, see demand number 4.
[12] “House Passes Immigration Bills With Path to Citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ and Farmworkers,” CNN, accessed March 21, 2021, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daca-immigration-reform-farmworkers-citizenship-house-passes-bills/
[13] U.S. Congress, House, the Dream and Promise Act of 2021, HR 6, 117th Cong., 1st session, passed the House March 18, 2021, https://www.aila.org/File/Related/21030440a.pdf
[14] “About the Department,” Asian Studies, Berea College, accessed March 28, 2021, https://www.berea.edu/ast/
[15] “Great Commitments.”
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Petition created on April 4, 2021