Dear President Trump,
We write to strongly urge you to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As higher education advocates, we know how critical this program is for students, institutions, and our broader community.
One-fifth of DACA recipients are enrolled in postsecondary education. Another third of recipients are in high school and are considering options to further their education and their preparation for the workforce after they graduate.1
DACA recipients are integral members of our campus communities. They strive every day to achieve academically so they can build a better future for themselves and their families, and contribute even more to our communities and our nation’s economy.
Ending DACA will tear opportunity away from these students who are Americans in every sense except for their immigration status on paper. Ending DACA will make pursuing a higher education significantly more difficult, if not impossible for these students. And it will slam shut the doorway to achieving the American Dream for students who cannot rationally be faulted for their lack of legal status.
Our country prides itself on the notion that with hard work and education, anyone can achieve here. DACA recipients are reaching for that goal. We ask you to stand with them.
Sincerely,
Achieve Atlanta |
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities |
American Association of University Women (AAUW) |
Cal State Student Association |
Campaign for College Opportunity |
Chicago Urban League |
College Possible |
Consumer Action |
Council for Opportunity in Education |
Democrats for Education Reform |
The Education Trust |
Excelencia in Education |
First Graduate |
Generation Progress |
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce |
HCM Strategists |
Higher Ed, Not Debt |
Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) |
Latino U College Access |
League of United Latin American Citizens |
Los Angeles Community College District |
Metropolitan State University Denver |
NAACP |
National Association for College Admission Counseling |
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators |
National College Access Network |
OneGoal |
Silicon Valley Leadership Group |
Southern California College Access Network |
St. Louis Graduates |
Teach For America |
Tennessee College Access and Success Network |
The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) |
Yes We Must Coalition |
Young Invincibles |
1 http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/education-and-work-profiles-daca-population