SPRINGFIELD – Following a student being arrested by ICE on campus at a local community college, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure to protect Illinois residents’ constitutional rights and shield college students while on campus at public colleges and universities.
“It is unacceptable that students who have worked tirelessly to pursue an education have to live in fear, looking over their shoulder while on campus,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Many are first-generation students on their way to becoming doctors, lawyers, social workers. They are a fabric of every part of our community.”
The proposal – led by Villa – would require public colleges, universities and community colleges to develop procedures for reviewing law enforcement access requests, prohibit unauthorized disclosure of students’ or employees’ immigration status, provide immigration enforcement resources online, and notify campus communities when immigration enforcement activity occurs on campus.
“Our campuses remain places where all students – regardless of immigration status – are welcomed, protected and free to learn,” said Villa. “While the federal administration seeks to terrorize our communities by targeting students in spaces of learning, Illinois will continue to uphold their rights and dignity. This bill is a light to these students – it demonstrates that, here in Illinois, we see them, we value them and we will protect them.”
House Bill 1312 passed the Senate on Thursday.
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