APLU President McPherson Sends Letter to President-elect Trump on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

Last week, APLU President Peter McPherson sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging him to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and to ensure personal information students provided in DACA applications are not used for immigration enforcement. This Obama administration executive action provides deferred status from deportation and the potential for work authorization to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, who have been in the U.S. continuously at least since 2007, and who have applied for and received the deferred status, among other requirements.

Noting that “many young people with DACA status are attending universities and colleges in this country,” McPherson urged President-elect Trump to continue the DACA program as a matter of fundamental fairness. “Unfortunately, these students are now living in great fear that not only will DACA be revoked, but that as a result of having put their trust in the U.S. government and providing their information to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), they and their families will be focused on by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”

“APLU universities report to me that student support offices are handling a significant number of requests for assistance by distressed DACA students who are trying to quickly understand what a change in administration means for their status,” President McPherson’s letter continued.

“Regardless of one’s view of the executive action at the time it was issued, we are now faced with an untenable situation for students. Those who applied for DACA status came forward and in good faith provided their information to the U.S. government based on a promise that they would be protected. They are studying at our institutions because they want to be productive and successful people. The work authorization that comes with DACA allows them to make immediate contributions.”

The letter can be read in full here.