“We are extremely disappointed that,
according to multiple media reports, the Trump administration tomorrow
will announce that it is rescinding a policy that has allowed a group of
exceptional young people brought to this country as infants or
children, to make contributions to American society and the economy by
working, serving in the military or attending college.
Taking action to rescind the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, even with a reported six month
delay, will throw the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people and
their families into turmoil. To our students, and all those who are
potentially affected, be assured that the nation’s colleges and
universities will actively, strongly and persistently urge Congress to
swiftly approve legislation to enable you to maintain your current
status.
Lawmakers have expressed bipartisan support
for DACA recipients and, if the Trump administration does take this
action, will now have the responsibility to act quickly to head off this
shortsighted decision, one that will do great harm to our national
interest. Ending this program without first enacting a permanent
legislative solution would torment hundreds of thousands of bright and
talented individuals who were granted temporary permission to stay in
the United States and obtain work permits under DACA. They are paying
taxes and buying homes, cars and consumer goods. Their economic activity
has increased tax revenues for federal, state and local governments.
In March, more than 560 college and
university presidents urged President Trump to commit to allowing these
productive and high-achieving young people to continue to work and study
in the United States while his administration and Congress seek just
such a permanent solution. Last week, we sent another letter to the
White House echoing that charge. Now Congress must pick up the mantle
and respond promptly and compassionately.
There are several models that Congress should
consider, including the Dream Act (S. 1615), which ACE and most of the
higher education community has long supported. Another path forward
would be the BRIDGE Act (S. 128) that Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and
Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced earlier this year. At a minimum, we urge
Congress to build the current DACA provisions into statute.
The bottom line is that we must find a way to
ensure that these extraordinary and gifted young people are allowed to
stay in the only country, the only place they know as home. They are
Americans, just like their classmates and friends, in every way but
immigration status. The only humane thing to do is to ensure that
Dreamers can continue to work, serve in the military, attend college and
thereby contribute to the health and strength of our institutions, our
communities and our nation.”