Like many across the nation, our community has watched the immigration enforcement activities intensify in Illinois, Minnesota, and elsewhere with deep concern. We feel the weight of this moment and assure you that DePaul is here in solidarity and support.
As a
faith-based institution, DePaul stands firmly with our immigrant communities and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to care for those who are most vulnerable among us. Our Catholic, Vincentian mission guides us, especially when the world feels unsettled.
Centering human dignityCardinal Blase Cupich
has urged Catholics and local leaders to
reaffirm the human dignity of all: “Keeping the nation safe and respecting human dignity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, one cannot exist without the other. It is up to citizens and communities such as the church to raise their voices to ensure the safety of a nation does not come at the expense of violations of human dignity.”
Escalation and violence during federal immigration enforcement operations remind us that safety must remain central. We are committed to taking care of our community, while adhering to the law. We realize that for many in our community, this is personal and affects our families, our friends, our neighbors and colleagues.
For more than 125 years, DePaul has welcomed students of every faith tradition into our community. From our founding in 1898, DePaul opened our doors to the children and grandchildren of Jewish and Catholic immigrants at a time when religious quotas limited access to higher education. In 1911, we became one of the first Catholic universities to admit women, and in 2005, the first Catholic university to offer an LGBTQ studies program. These milestones reflect our enduring belief in dignity and opportunity for all and grounds our deep support for immigrant communities today.
Know your rightsTo support our community during this period of uncertainty, DePaul is taking proactive steps to ensure that everyone has
access to clear information and guidance from subject matter experts. In this spirit, we are committed to educating our community about their rights.
Next week, we have partnered with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to bring you two
Know Your Rights sessions as an opportunity to come together and learn about your rights when interacting with immigration enforcement regardless of your immigration status. These sessions will empower individuals with tools to safely navigate encounters with law enforcement.
We invite you to join us on:
Date: March 9
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Loop 8005
Registration Link: https://dehub.depaul.edu/BEAM/rsvp_boot?id=399447 Date: March 11
Time: 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Location: LPC Room 324
Registration Link: https://dehub.depaul.edu/BEAM/rsvp_boot?id=399444Resources for supportWhether you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or simply want to talk, we encourage you to visit the
Take Care DePaul website for links to resources centered around health, safety, and support for our community.
We also recommend you review
this resource with guidance on interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on DePaul property.
Our community’s strengthWe have always believed in the strength and heart of this community. Please know that we are here with you. If you need support, reach out. If you see someone in need, offer care. When in doubt, begin with kindness.
Robert L. Manuel
President
Salma Ghanem
Provost
Dania Matos
Senior Vice President, Belonging, Engagement and Mission