Message from the President June 18, 2020

June 18, 2020

Sonoma State Community,

Journalist Jorge Ramos reminds us that “the greatest nations are defined by how they treat their weakest inhabitants.”

I am extremely heartened by the Supreme Court’s ruling today that rejects the presidential administration’s effort to deport hundreds of thousands of young undocumented people by terminating the program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). These young adults are passionate, hardworking members of our society. Many of them were brought here as children and know no other country as home. Even though they currently lack a path to citizenship, they dedicate their lives to giving back to our communities as teachers, caregivers, volunteers, and leaders across a range of professions.

We at Sonoma State stand by our undocumented community members, and will do so until a permanent legislative solution for them is reached. I am proud that in my time as Sonoma State president we have created an Undocu-Resource Center and provided expanded scholarship opportunities to better support our undocumented students as they earn their college degrees. I also join with CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White and my fellow CSU presidents in calling on Congress to take the necessary, bipartisan action to grant undocumented individuals access to full participation in American life.

Today’s ruling is a reminder that whatever our immigration or citizenship status, we all share the same dream: to fulfill our human potential; to live meaningful lives openly and joyfully; and to work together in building an even greater future for our country – one that is inclusive, empowering, and imbued with hope for one and all. 

With gratitude,

Judy K. Sakaki signature

Judy K. Sakaki