The presidents of St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict restated their support of immigrant students but declined to declare their institutions as a sanctuary campuses.

In response to a petition pressing for sanctuary status, presidents Michael Hemesath and Mary Hinton announced Thursday that they "wholeheartedly" support the principle behind the petition, but they have "no legal ability to set ourselves apart from the laws of our state and federal government."

Doing so, Hemesath and Hinton said, could put state and federal financial aid at risk.

The petition, which garnered more than 1,500 signatures from St. John's and St. Ben's staff and students, is part of a national movement that is sweeping college campuses. It supports protections for those who might face deportation under President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policies. Trump campaigned on a promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

It is unclear so far what will happen to the protections for students who attend college under the so-called Dream Act, and those who qualify for President Obama's executive order allowing the children of undocumented immigrants to work and study in the United States — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

A similar petition at the University of Minnesota in November went a step further: demanding college officials and its police force refuse to cooperate with any government efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. It also asks administrators to shield records that identify students' religious affiliation or immigration status.

Star Tribune file, Star Tribune
The Abbey Church is a landmark on the St. John's University campus located in Collegeville.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler took no action on the petition beyond issuing a statement that all members of the community are valued, including immigrants.

Administrators at St. John's and St. Ben's have publicly supported DACA. Almost 6,000 immigrants in Minnesota have qualified for the program.

In their letter Thursday, Hemesath and Hinton promised to uphold that support to the fullest extent of the law. They vowed to continue helping undocumented students understand the college admissions process, admit those who are academically qualified, provide financial support and protect student privacy — as they have, regardless of immigration status, throughout the schools' history.

"In keeping with our Catholic and Benedictine traditions, we are committed to the dignity of every person, hospitality, Catholic social justice teachings and the importance of community," officials wrote.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648