November 30, 2016 — Today, 27 US Jesuit college and university presidents released a statement on undocumented students, in which they reaffirmed their commitment “to uphold the dignity of every person, to work for the common good of our nation, and to promote a living faith that works for justice.”

As presidents of Jesuit colleges and universities, they wrote that they felt “spiritually and morally compelled to raise a collective voice confirming our values and commitments as Americans and educators.”

In the statement, the presidents said they would continue working “to protect to the fullest extent of the law undocumented students on our campuses; to promote retention of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA); to support and stand with our students, faculty, and staff regardless of their faith traditions; and to preserve the religious freedoms on which our nation was founded.”

The presidents wrote that they hoped their statement would “inspire members of our University communities, as well as the larger national community, to promote efforts at welcome, dialogue, and reconciliation among all that share our land.”

They concluded by saying that they welcome further conversation and are committed to modeling “the kind of discourse and debate that are at the heart of our nation’s ideals. And we promise to bring the best resources of our institutions — of intellect, reflection, and service — to bear in the task of fostering understanding in the United States at this particular time in our history.”

To read the full statement, click here.