Bill Blocking Sanctuary Status For Universities Passes Committee

A bill prohibiting state universities from adopting sanctuary policies passed through a senate committee Tuesday.

A state university or college that declares “sanctuary” status does not share a student’s citizenship or immigration information with local, state or federal authorities.

One of the bill’s authors, Sen. Michael Young (R-Indianapolis), says the goal of the bill is to bring state universities in line with other government entities.

“And I don’t think we can allow one government entity to not follow the law, but require other government entities to follow the law,” Young says. “So to make the law fair and equal to all, we are just adding campuses to our current statute.”

Several people spoke out against the bill, including Latino Higher Education Council Vice-President Karina Garduno. She says the bill will intensify fear in students on campuses.

“The fear that inundates their everyday lives is already an interruption into their education, which effects not only the individual directly, but also those around them,” Garduno says.

The bill passed 6-2 and was amended to exempt students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status.