University of Oregon’s Faculty Coalition Declares “Sanctuary” Status
The University of Oregon’s faculty coalition has officially labeled itself a “sanctuary coalition,” deciding not to assist federal deportation efforts.
The University Scholars (UA) Union, comprising around 1,900 staff members, recently announced plans to establish a legal defense fund aimed at resisting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning future deportations.
This stance aligns with a broader trend of university faculty opposing federal immigration enforcement, especially in light of the Trump administration’s actions targeting federal funding for institutions that don’t strongly address campus protests related to groups like Hamas. Data shows that in 2024, over 80% of research funding at UO originated from federal sources. Notably, the U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation into UO and several other universities over possible “racially exclusive practices.”
In an announcement on April 21, the UA expressed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all employees, regardless of their immigration status. They emphasized, “We have decided that the UA has declared it a ‘sanctuary coalition’.”
The UA has pledged not to willingly work with federal authorities aiming to arrest or deport families connected to union members. They also commit to educating staff about how to legally counter ICE’s actions.
Interestingly, both the University of Oregon and ICE have not provided comments on this issue.
Notably, the UA stands as the sole faculty union on the campus, encompassing a wide range of staff, including tenure-track faculty, librarians, and postdoctoral researchers, among others.
During the Trump administration, significant federal funds were withdrawn from several universities to enforce policies misaligned with Trump’s priorities. For instance, about $175 million was frozen from the University of Pennsylvania over its decision to allow a transgender woman to compete in women’s sports. In another case, Columbia University lost over $400 million due to perceived shortcomings in protecting Jewish students amid related protests; the university promptly adjusted its policies following this funding cut.
Additionally, the administration has indicated it would pursue legal action against anyone obstructing federal immigration initiatives. A notable example includes a judge in Milwaukee who was recently arrested for allegedly aiding immigrants in avoiding ICE agents stationed outside courthouses.
The UA has encouraged the University of Oregon to similarly resist federal immigration enforcement actions.
