Dear Members of the UCSF Community,

We are extremely troubled by the growing humanitarian crisis on our nation’s southern border, where children are forcibly separated from their parents.

In a statement released yesterday, University of California President Janet Napolitano said that this latest crisis is “further indication of the urgent need for a real conversation around immigration reform.” She stressed that “our nation of immigrants is made stronger by its diversity. Congress and the administration must come together to pass legislation that reflects the values of our country, ensures the safety of our borders and provides a resolution for those brought to the United States as children who only know this country as home.”

On behalf of the leadership of UCSF, I want to convey my strongest support for President Napolitano’s statement and express solidarity with our colleagues at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine regarding the harmful consequence of separating children from their parents.

As we have stated repeatedly, a core tenet at UCSF, as well as UC overall, is that our strength as a public university stems from a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion, and welcomes and respects every individual regardless of immigration status. UCSF remains committed to providing compassionate care to children and fulfilling our efforts to foster an...