Dear SDSU Community,

As the president of a diverse university with nearly 1,800 international students enrolled every year, I am deeply troubled by the updated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regulations. A growing number of organizations and leaders also oppose this decision, including elected officials, presidents and chancellors. It is clear that ICE has made a sudden and ill-conceived decision. The Presidents' Alliance, of which I and SDSU are members, has invited its members to join an amicus brief in support of a federal lawsuit against the updated ICE guidelines. Today, I signed in support of litigating. 

At SDSU, we proudly and unapologetically see the development of global citizens as part of our mission. We remain committed to supporting the educational journey and success of our current and incoming international students.

Since the policy change was announced earlier this week, our teams have been diligently working together on communicating with our international students, ensuring that they are supported and don’t feel pressured to make rush decisions in response. As I write, SDSU Global Affairs is also establishing solutions for individual students. We are working to safeguard our students’ academic goals so that they can move forward without interruption.

To our international students and partners: My support to ensure our students are supported every step of the way is unwavering. We have developed a survey to identify the specific and individual needs of each of our newly admitted and continuing international students in response to the policy change. I urge our international students to respond quickly. The survey will be emailed to you shortly.

I, along with presidents across the California State University (CSU), are working closely with the Chancellor’s Office, which has highlighted our collective commitment to address the impact of ICE’s decision proactively and decisively. Further, CSU Chancellor Timothy White shared in an announcement today that he along with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley will file a lawsuit challenging the decision.

Once again, I appeal to our international students to lean on SDSU during this time and urge you to speak with your undergraduate or graduate program advisors before making any changes to your academic plans. We are here to guide you every step of the way. Each of you are an important member of our global SDSU community, and we care deeply about you and your success. You bring energy, creativity, and perspectives we need as a university and as a body of global citizens who aim to transform our world for the better.

On behalf of our university, I and our global SDSU family stand with you and will help you navigate the journey ahead.

With heartfelt sincerity,

Adela de la Torre, Ph.D.
San Diego State University President