Petition asks University of Illinois to be immigrant sanctuary

URBANA — Faculty at the University of Illinois’ flagship campus have given Chancellor Robert Jones a petition asking that the school become a sanctuary for immigrant students illegally living in the country.

The petition, signed by more than 2,300 people, was presented Monday to Jones, who has said he wants to study the legalities before taking a position.

Members of the campus’ Senate also approved a resolution Monday calling on the school to commit to maintaining what the measure called a climate “free from hostility.” The resolution stemmed in part from an Oct. 10 incident in which campus police interviewed students in an African-American studies class about a stolen cellphone found in the class. The professor and students were upset police came in to the class.

EARLIER STORY: U. of I. to study ‘sanctuary’ status for immigrants