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Updates from the Undocumented Student Task Force (USTF)

by · September 26, 2025

As we enter a new academic year, the Undocumented Student Task Force wants to ensure that all faculty and staff have access to current resources and policies for supporting our students.

Below we are including: 

  • Syllabus language, which reflects the same language that is currently on the Learning and Teaching Commons site for syllabus statements and resources. 
  • The most updated resource handout for supporting undocumented/immigrant students at Evergreen. It also includes the “11 ways you can support undocumented students at Evergreen.” (Attached, bilingual)  
  • Evergreen policy: Evergreen recently updated the College’s Immigrant Rights and Non-Discrimination policy, which includes protocols in the event of immigration enforcement on campus and protection of student data. We’re including the link and a recast of the most important information. 
  • Community Resources. 

Syllabus language:

Evergreen welcomes all students, regardless of residency, citizenship, or immigration status. Underdocumented and immigrant students are integral to the Evergreen community and have a right to dignity, safety, and belonging. Evergreen provides various forms of on-campus support for underdocumented and immigrant students, students with DACA, and those from mixed-status families. Students can find more information in our resources flyer, available in English and Spanish [please include linked updated resource page, attached to this e-mail, here]. For holistic support, information, and questions, students, staff, and faculty can contact: Evergreen’s Undocumented/Underserved Student Support Specialist, available in English and Spanish, and the Undocumented Student Task Force, a group of students, staff, and faculty committed to supporting and advocating for undocumented students at Evergreen. Both can be contacted by e-mailing (undocu@evergreen.edu). 

College Policies:

Evergreen recently updated the College’s Immigrant Rights and Non-Discrimination policy, which includes protocols in the event of immigration enforcement activities on campus and protection of student data. The policy was shared on March 27, 2025, with guidance for what to do in the event if an immigration enforcement official or other individual requests access to student information, records, or entrance to a restricted area, including offices or classrooms. Staff and faculty are instructed to “1. STAY CALM, 2. COMMUNICATE that the college has policies we need to follow, and, 3. CONNECT/REFER individuals to the appropriate college designee.” Only 4 designees on campus are authorized to answer questions of immigration officials or check warrants and court orders. College Designees are: Executive Vice President Dexter Gordon, Dean of Students Holly Joseph, Academic Dean for Tacoma Marcia Tate-Arunga, and Associate Vice President for Human Resources Services Laurel Uzanski. Further requests for support or clarification can also be made via this Microsoft Form.

Community Resources: 

Please recognize that this is a particularly stressful time for immigrant and undocumented students, students with DACA and from mixed-status families. Please share the following resources and community organizations with your students, as they have valuable information to support students at this point in time. 

  • WAISN (WA Immigrant Solidarity Network): this WA-based organization provides excellent resources and support to immigrant and undocumented communities across Washington State. These include the WAISN HOTLINE: 1-844-724-3737 where communities can connect with staff for support and accompaniment or report immigration enforcement activities.
  • The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) provides updated information about policy changes as well as free or low-cost legal resources for qualifying individuals.
  •  Know Your Rights in Washington: the AG’s office has developed this Know Your Rights Guide for communities in Washington. As the guide notes: “communities are concerned about increased immigration enforcement activity. This guidance summarizes general information about limitations on federal immigration enforcement power, limits on state and local agencies from participating in immigration enforcement, and the rights of individuals and entities within Washington.” 

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