Colleges raising concerns over Arizona's immigration law
by Anne Ryman - May. 4, 2010 12:00 AM

Universities and community colleges are taking stock of Arizona's new immigration law and raising concerns about its implementation.

The three state universities, in particular, are unsure exactly how or if the law applies to their campus police departments. Under the law, police officers are required to ask about legal status if they reasonably suspect a person is in the country illegally.


The University of Arizona is concerned about whether the law will discourage students from other states and nations from attending. Officials at Maricopa Community Colleges say the law may drive off undocumented students who were brought to the country illegally as children and want a college degree.

The universities educate about 130,000 students and have large numbers of international students.

The uncertainty over the law has prompted the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the three state universities, to seek legal advice.

"We've got to find out how much of the law applies to the students we serve," Regents President Ernest Calderón said, adding that the universities intend to follow the law.

Among the questions being considered are whether campus police must turn over undocumented students for possible deportation and how far the schools or officers must go in making inquiries.

Some university officials worry the law could have a chilling effect on potential students.

At UA, the families of a half-dozen out-of-state honor students told university officials they are changing plans and will send their children to universities in other states, UA officials said. The students include both incoming freshmen and graduate students.

UA President Robert Shelton said he has received more than 10 calls or e-mails from UA students, faculty and staff who are worried that police may detain them or their families or friends.

"The uncertainty is causing a lot of people to worry," he said.

He posted a letter on the university's Web site Thursday outlining his concerns and reassuring the campus that UA police will get extensive training on the implementation of Senate Bill 1070, which was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23.

Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Rufus Glasper also is concerned, saying last week that the law likely will deter undocumented students from continuing their education, which would have adverse consequences for the state's economy.

On Friday, ASU Provost Betty Capaldi sent an e-mail to students, faculty and staff saying the university had reviewed the law to see how it might impact the school's international students.

"We believe the law requires no change to ASU's policies," she wrote.

Concerns over the law are understandable, her e-mail said, because the full implications of the law are unknown.

Reach the reporter at anne .ryman@arizonarepublic.com



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