Submitted by the CMU Cultural Inclusion Council.

Dear Mavs,

As the current administration continues to take actions affecting immigrants, sometimes without proper justification or process, we must be mindful of the impact on our classmates, friends, and colleagues on campus.

If you or someone you know is a person of color, regardless of legal status, please take time to learn about your rights. If applicable, carry documentation to verify your legal status or authorization. The Supreme Court has ruled to allow immigration officers to make stops based on race, ethnicity, type of employment, or language use, such as speaking Spanish.

As CIC, we will continue to grow awareness and representation of our diverse population on campus, we will continue to be a safe space for students, and we will continue to ensure students feel as though they belong at CMU.

While this is the reality we face, it is important to be both informed and prepared. At the same time, do not allow these pressures to diminish your light. Continue to enjoy, celebrate, and be proud of your culture. The state of our country should never be a source of shame; it simply means we must approach it with awareness and readiness.

For more information, visit:

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/.

Best,

The Cultural Inclusion Council