APLU Urges Congress to Take Swift Action to Protect DACA Participants

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today sent the following letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressing strong support for swift congressional action that would, at a minimum, codify the provisions of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy into law.

The full text of the letter follows:

September 2, 2017

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
233 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Speaker Ryan and Leaders McConnell, Pelosi and Schumer:

On behalf of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) I write to strongly support swift congressional action which will, at a minimum, codify the provisions of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy into law. While it is unclear what action President Trump may take with respect to DACA, APLU urges Congress to act to remove any question of uncertainty for the approximately 800,000 beneficiaries enrolled in DACA.

Prompt passage of legislation to, at a minimum, codify DACA protections into law would mitigate the incredible disruption that DACA termination would otherwise have on these young people’s lives and would allow them to continue their vital contributions to workplaces, college campuses, and communities across the country.

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities. Annually, its 194 U.S. member campuses enroll 4 million undergraduates and 1.2 million graduate students, award 1.1 million degrees, employ 1 million faculty and staff, and conduct $40.7 billion in university-based research. Many young people with DACA status are working hard in furtherance of their academic pursuits at our member institutions.

APLU is committed to working with Congress toward a fair, compassionate, and expeditious legislative solution. We very much appreciate statements from congressional leadership and others in the House and Senate who agree that this is a priority. Do not hesitate to let me know how we can be helpful.

Sincerely,

Peter McPherson
President