AAPA Statement in Support of International, DACA, & Undocumented Students

Statement

The Asian American Psychological Association firmly opposes the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announcement threatening deportation of international students who do not participate in in-person programming. Albeit rescinded, the psychological impact lingers as news pertaining to international students and DACA amendments continue to change. These regulations place students in physical and psychological harm and present universities with complicated and difficult choices: 1) lose their international students, placing the educational, emotional, and physical safety of international students at risk, or 2) begin in-person programming–often against professional safety advisements. Nationwide, faculty, staff, and student safety and well-being should not have been put at risk for xenophobic policies of no discernible benefits and that targeted students based solely on national origin. We continue to oppose and push back on the perpetuation of constant violence and fear that continues to be felt throughout the Asian American community from Covid-19 related racism to xenophobic policies such as this one.

To our international, DACA, and undocumented student members and community, we stand in solidarity with you. We acknowledge the numerous challenges that you have gone through and will continue to endure during these uncertain times. We value you and will fight to ensure your educational equity and safety. We support your efforts for self-advocacy, self- and community-care during this difficult time. We will move forward to work on building awareness around citizenship and cultural privilege within the Asian American community. We also encourage members to share resources with the listserv.