The Daily Princetonian
Tuesday November 29, 2016
page 3
Eisgruber: I don’t think there’s any useful Students concerned about application of sanctuary to universities place for ethnic studies EMAIL
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not charged with the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” Additionally, the order states that Princeton Police will assist federal immigration authorities only “when requested,” and will limit involvement in raids to providing “a police presence outside in case of a disturbance or other public safety concern.” Despite this initiative, there are still limitations on how detached local law enforcement can remain in many circumstances. For example, a 2007 directive issued by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office regulates the manner in which local officers are to interact with federal immigration authorities. In particular, it mandates that local police officers inquire about an arrestee’s citizenship status for any indictable offence and for driving while intoxicated. Sutter acknowledged these restrictions in a 2015 statement, noting “[The directive] doesn’t leave discretion up to the local authorities.” Liz Lempert, Mayor of Princeton, has defended the designation of Princeton as a “sanctuary city,” despite harsh criticism. For example, the July 2015 shooting of Kathryn Steinle by an undocumented immigrant in San Francisco drew national attention and provoked a response from Princeton residents who worried that the city’s policy might allow for the same kind of crime to occur. In the same statement as before, Lempert reiterated the benefits to local policing, noting that it is “important for people to feel safe to report crimes to the police and to know that the police are there to protect them.” She added that, while there are good
and bad people in every population, “the police are there to protect the good people,” according to the statement. However, Eisgruber said that there is little comparison to be made between the two institutions. Eisgruber noted in the interview that he “has a lot of respect for what the town does,” but emphasized that the University and the town of Princeton are different kinds of institutions. “We’re not a government, we are a private entity, and like all private entities, we are subject to law,” he said “Both institutions are trying to pursue policies that are protective, within the limits of law, of the interests of undocumented persons, and in our case, of undocumented students,” he continued. While explaining his beliefs in the email, Eisgruber cited his own experience as a constitutional scholar, the judgment of the consulted immigration lawyers, and the University’s commitment to the rule of law, which he called one of the country’s most basic principles. In the email, Eisgruber highlighted actions outside of designating the University as a sanctuary campus that have been and will be taken by the University to safeguard the well-being of students, faculty, and staff members. Specifically, he noted his choice to sign a statement supporting DACA that now has over 300 signatories representing higher education institutions across the United States. He expressed further support for DACA in the email, writing that ending DACA would be “a tragic mistake.” On a more personal note, he added that, as the child of immigrants and a scholar of religious minority rights, he
was “deeply troubled by the hostility” displayed toward immigrants, Muslims, and other members of religious minorities. He added that he was pleased with the community’s response in “affirmation of the commitment to inclusivity,” and noted that he was happy to stand with members of the community in support of DACA and the rights of students, faculty, and staff. The choice to pursue other avenues of protection, he said in the interview, was motivated by a desire to do so in a way that “most effectively protects our students and most effectively stands for our values.” This statement joins a rich history of perspectives on the status of the University and the municipality of Princeton as sanctuaries for immigrants. While this history extends beyond the scope of recent events, many of these discussions took place after the U.S. Presidential Election on Nov. 8. President-elect Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail to cut federal funding to cities claiming sanctuary city status, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. This, coupled with Trump’s postelection promise to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants, sparked vigorous debate at the University and across the nation on the assumed responsibility of communities to protect immigrant populations who could potentially become vulnerable under the new presidency. On Nov. 17, members of the University community demonstrated in front of Nassau Hall calling for the University to designate itself a sanctuary campus. In the interview, Eisgruber added that his commitment to the interests and desires of all students is heartfelt and personal.
AMS
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sive, according to their statement. Hendrick Hartog, professor of history and chair of the American Studies program, did not respond to a request for comment. Wu also noted that currently, course offerings in Asian American Studies fluctuate from year to year depending on faculty availability from other departments. According to Wu, among the three courses offered in Asian American Studies next semester, two will be taught by postdocs and the last one by a visiting professor. Additionally, the statement also endorsed renaming the current Program in American Studies to the Collaborative Center for the Study of America. Though the terms “center” and “program” do not differ in their capacities to conduct research, offer courses, or hire faculty, “center” is more closely associated with interdisciplinary research, an asset for seeking donor support. Furthermore, Dolan and Eisgruber indicated support for the creation of an AMS collaboratory, a non-hierarchical research facility for students and faculty, and a seniorscholars-in-residence program. However, both programs are contingent upon funding, the statement noted. The statement also articulated that the University has placed a “low priority” on the creation of a postdoc program for AMS. The first step will be a full concentration in American Studies, once it is proposed and approved by standing commit-
tees and by the University Faculty. The certificate program in Latinx studies will remain separate and allied. As a sizable expansion is in sight for American Studies, the statement also noted it will move to a new physical location later this academic year, and that there are plans in place to create a permanent home for the program. According to Wu, the current space for the AMS program consists of only a few offices in McCosh Hall Entryway 4. “We look forward to the ever more robust presence of American Studies, and all its attendant fields, here at Princeton,” Dolan said. Wu noted that continued student support is key to attaining the items endorsed by the statement. “It’s up to students to keep the administration accountable for everything that happens, to maintain student interests,” Wu said. However, Christophers noted that some students are worried that ethnic studies will not be as big of a priority once they are integrated into American Studies. “I hope that if the Center, once created, remains committed and serious about bolstering ethnic studies. Then some really incredible work could come out of Princeton that would encourage the creation of new courses and independent studies topics.” She also noted that her group will continue to advocate for Latinx studies offerings and that she will work with AASA to continue promoting positive scholarship for ethnic studies at the University.
Elyachar: Trump’s rise less of a surprise based on recent patterns TALK
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inger said. Beissinger’s focus on the international stage was largely centered on Russia. “Clearly, there was no country that benefited more from the outcome of the American election than Russia,” he said. The apparent Trump-Putin relationship, made evident during the campaign process as well as after Trump was elected, became a main subject of analysis. “Russia was directly involved in the electoral process to try and let Trump win the election. They hacked Hillary’s emails and leaked them to Wikileaks as well as hacked into election sites in various states,” Beissinger said. “The election of Donald Trump to the presidency will perhaps become the most significant Kremlin victory in history.” Anthropology professor Julia Elyachar regarded Trump’s rise as less of a surprise based on recent patterns that mimic historical trends. She characterized events like Trump’s election to the White House as “unthinkables.” Historical events had already hinted at such outcomes. “The Jan. 25 conflicts in Egypt, the mass revolts that began in 2010, were some of the first revolts against this rising inequality in the world that began a whole process of thinking unthinkables, things that were unbelievable and you could never think about in this regime of the post-World War II era,” Elyachar said. Jeremy Adelman, Henry Charles Lea Professor of History, also took a more historical approach in discussing the potential impacts of a Trump presidency. “The long cycle of global integration that began in 1945 is now pretty much exhausted.
It was in trouble anyways and this may as well be a good thing because the kick in the pants, from Brexit, from the election of Donald Trump, and possibly in other fields along the way, is exactly what we needed to reset the system of global governance in response to 21st century challenges,” Adelman explained. Christina Davis, professor at the Department of Politics and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs approached the Trump issue from the point of view of international theory. “International theories do not pay much attention to individual leaders, because they will eventually conform to what the United States wants,” she said. Despite the possibility that Trump will adjust to the circumstances of the current political atmosphere, Davis addressed potential impacts on trade policy. “Yes, indeed a President Trump can completely redo trade policy. Foreign affairs in general is an area where he can renegotiate policies,” Davis said. “If he goes forward on the hard line on trade, we will quickly have a trade war. And it’s quite easy for countries like China to switch to buying from Brazil.” Also included on the panel were Near Eastern Studies professor Bernard Haykel, anthropology professor Carolyn Rouse, sociology professor Yu Xie, and politics professor Deborah Bashar. They focused on addressing the concerns of the Middle East, Africa, China, and Latin America, respectively. “At this point in time, Trump has not spent a single day in office and we’re in that odd period of time where he has been elected President although there is of course a challenge going on, but we have no record, so essentially all we have is what Trump says,” Beissinger said.
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