Students Ask Georgetown to Disinvite DHS Secretary as Graduation Speaker
`Tis Commencement season and, as is often the case, there is some controversy. (Recall that, in 2014, UC Hastings students protested the announcement that University of California President and former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano would be delivering the commencement keynote address.). The Georgetown Voice reports that a group of 30 students delivered a letter to the School of Foreign Service Deans on May 9 asking the University to rescind Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson’s invitation to speak at the SFS Commencement ceremony. Members and allies of UndocuHoyas, a group that advocates for students who are undocumented immigrants, believe that inviting Johnson, “is a step backward from Georgetown’s leadership on undocumented students support,” according to the letter.
“As Secretary of Homeland Security, Johnson has orchestrated the detention and deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including members of our families and communities,” the letter says. It goes on to say, “We should not be forced to receive our diplomas from an individual who is directly responsible for separating our families. Therefore, we strongly implore the university to rescind Secretary Johnson’s speaking invitation and take meaningful action to ensure that graduation is an inclusive and safe experience for all members of the Georgetown community.”
The students gathered outside the SFS Dean’s Office on Monday at 1 p.m., and were met by Senior Associate Deans Daniel Byman and Anthony Clark Arend, and Emily Zenick, Chief of Staff to the Dean. SFS Dean Joel Hellman is currently traveling out of the country and was unable to attend the meeting.
KJ