DACA Update

To:  University Community
From:  Ralph Kuncl, President 
Date:  November 19, 2019
Subject: DACA Update

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the Trump administration acted lawfully when it sought to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).  Since 2012, DACA has been providing legal protection and work eligibility to about 800,000 undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children.

We recognize this is a time of continued uncertainty for our DACA holders and, as we stand with them, for our community as a whole.

Since the effort to rescind DACA was announced in September 2017, we have reiterated our commitment to the University’s core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and non-discrimination, while recognizing our responsibility to meet legal obligations.  As a teaching and learning institution, we seek to support every person in our community—regardless of immigration status or national origin—who seeks an education that builds skills, identifies passions, and enhances the ability to contribute to society and the world.

As described in an FAQ and statement on DACA, the University continues its policy of refusing to release student records without student consent or a judicial order; law enforcement must present a warrant or subpoena before the University may be compelled to assist in contacting any member of our community.  The University’s admission process also continues to be blind to immigration status.

Here below, we remind the community of the resources available for DACA students:

• Impacted students can seek counseling; they should call 909-748-8108 and inform the administrative assistant of the reason for the call to speak with the counselor of the day.
• Safe spaces are available.  There are many supportive individuals on campus, but if students are uncertain where to turn, they can reach out to staff in the Office of Campus Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), 909-748-8257 or the Chaplain’s Office, 909-748-8368.  CDI is facilitating connections to a variety of agencies providing independent legal and other immigration advice.
• DACA-registered (and other) students facing unexpected financial challenges can request access to the University’s emergency financial assistance program.  Participation in this program is coordinated through the Office of the University Dean of Student Affairs, 909-748-8053.
• The Immigrant Legal Resource Center publication, “What Do I Need to Know if the DACA Program Ends?” offers some guidance for DACA recipients.  In accordance with this and other sources, we continue to advise DACA recipients and undocumented students to refrain from traveling outside the country in the current environment; this is true even with an Advance Parole Document.

As we await the Supreme Court’s decision, expected by June of next year, we recognize our DACA students’ bravery and redouble our commitment to maintaining a compassionate, humane, and empathetic community in which all persons are treated equally, with respect and dignity.

In solidarity,