June 15, 2007
TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
Dear Colleagues:
As many of you are aware, late last month agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security questioned a student at the student’s UCSB campus residence, in connection with an arrest warrant that had been issued. The student was able to demonstrate that the student’s visa status was in order. A roommate was also questioned at that time and was arrested. The roommate has since returned to campus.
My campus colleagues and I have been working to clarify the facts in this instance and to develop appropriate procedures and protocols to be followed in the future. Locally, we have been consulting with our campus police, the Office of International Students and Scholars, UCOP legal counsel, government agency representatives, and elected officials. At the same time, I have discussed these issues at a meeting of the UC chancellors and president, and this important matter is now being pursued on a systemwide basis.
Every effort will be made to safeguard the rights of members of our campus community, and to foster an environment consistent with the law and our mission as an educational institution.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor