Brown president joins fellow university presidents in urging DACA’s continuation
PROVIDENCE, R.I.* [Brown University] — Brown University President
Christina Paxson has joined more than 100 college and university presidents
calling for the continuation and expansion of the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has allowed more than 700,000
undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children to
remain in the country.
The presidents signed a statement
organized by Pomona College President David Oxtoby and released on Monday,
Nov. 21, that cites a “moral imperative” to support the DACA program.
“To our country’s leaders we say that DACA should be upheld, continued and
expanded,” the statement said. “We are prepared to meet with you to present
our case. This is both a moral imperative and a national necessity. America
needs talent — and these students, who have been raised and educated in the
United States, are already part of our national community. They represent
what is best about America, and as scholars and leaders they are essential
to the future.”
The statement was written in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s
campaign pledge to end the DACA program, authorized in 2012 by President
Barack Obama by executive order. Since Trump’s election on Nov. 8,
DACA-status and undocumented students nationwide have expressed concern
about possible deportation under the Trump administration.
“We care deeply about the welfare of our community members who are
undocumented or hold DACA status and continue to provide them with as much
information as we can make available regarding the law and potential
outcomes if policies change under the new administration,” Paxson and Brown
Provost Richard Locke wrote in an op-ed published last week
in
the University’s student newspaper.
“Though we do not know what specific changes may occur, Brown will continue
to support members of our community to the fullest extent possible while
complying with the law,” they added.
Today’s statement aligns with a commitment by Brown in recent years to
providing increased support to these students. Resources include guidance
and support through a faculty advisor; services offered through the
new First-Generation
College and Low-income Student Center
distinction between domestic applicants and undocumented and DACA-status
students in the admission process
continue to meet 100 percent of these students’ demonstrated financial need
at Brown.
Since the election, Brown has committed to bringing legal experts to campus
to advise students, faculty members and staff members of their rights,
responsibilities and potential options. The University will continue to
assist current students in applying for DACA status or renewal if they
choose — including providing financial assistance if needed — allowing them
to pursue eligibility for a Social Security Number, a stay of deportation
and work authorization.
“In the days and weeks ahead, we will work with elected officials locally
and nationally to understand any potential policy changes or legislative
efforts, to advocate for maintaining the DACA program and to promote
policies that are fair and supportive of our students and their families,”
Paxson and Locke wrote in the Brown Daily Herald op-ed, which followed
requests from students, employees and alumni to protect undocumented
members of the Brown community from deportation.
“Threats of deportation personally affect many individuals at Brown, their
friends and families, and as a result our entire campus. We are fully
dedicated to continuing to work with affected members of our community in
the coming months to ensure their safety and security.”
Written to implore elected officials to uphold the DACA program, the
statement published today by college and university presidents across the
country also urged business, civic, religious and nonprofit leaders to join
them in supporting DACA and undocumented students, arguing that these
students have “highly positive impacts on our institutions and communities”
and “are actively contributing to their local communities and economies.”
Brown officials will send today’s statement to Rhode Island’s congressional
delegation and state legislative leaders, as well as to Gov. Gina Raimondo
and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.