Trump Targets Nevada at Reno's Undocumented Student Supports

"Centers and programs for undocumented students are caught in a politically precarious moment after the Department of Justice called for an investigation of the University of Nevada at Reno's undocumented student services. Immigrant students' advocates say the move marks an escalation in the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on higher ed benefits for these students. And they worry campus programs supporting undocumented students might pre-emptively scale back or close altogether."

"According to the letter, the DOJ had received reports of the university's "efforts to assist illegal immigrants" by providing referrals to on- and off-campus resources, student aid, and academic and career support, including helping students find "career opportunities that do not require applicants to provide a Social Security Number." "We are referring this matter to the Department of Education to investigate whether UNR is using taxpayer funds [to] subsidize or promote illegal immigration," the letter read."

"But UNR is pushing back. Brian Sandoval, a former Republican governor of Nevada and the university's first Hispanic president, responded with a forceful defense of the program. He stressed to students and staff that the UndocuPack program offers supports to all students, regardless of citizenship status, and uses no federal funds. He also emphasized that several state-funded scholarships don't take immigration or residency status into account; the university doesn't dole out state or federal aid to anyone ineligible."

The Department of Justice referred the University of Nevada, Reno to the Department of Education for an investigation of UndocuPack amid reports the program assisted undocumented students. The referral cited referrals to on- and off-campus resources, student aid, academic and career support, and help finding jobs that do not require a Social Security Number. Immigrant student advocates view the action as an escalation in enforcement and fear campus programs may scale back or close. University leaders defended UndocuPack, asserting compliance with federal and state law and that the program uses no federal funds.

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