On Sept. 8, the Grand Rapids Community College Faculty Council announced its support for students affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Last week, the Trump administration made the decision to rescind the DACA program. The program allows immigrants who came to the U.S under age 16 a deferred action from being deported for two years. To read more about the program and the recent action taken by the Trump Administration, click here.
Because of this program, immigrants are able to apply for a work visa and are able to attend college. As a result, some GRCC students, who are supported by the program, are anxious about the future and their ability to continue to attend school.
After the Trump Administration announced plans to discontinue the program, GRCC President Bill Pink, the GRCC Board of Trustees and most recently, the GRCC Faculty Council have expressed support for the students. These statements can be found here.
“As faculty, it is our belief that Grand Rapids Community College is in existence to provide a safe and supportive environment for all people to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams,” Council President, Frank Conner stated in a news release. “We recognize that each person who attends our college is unique and deserves the respect and resources required to succeed as a student. DACA provides this opportunity to a unique set of young people who were brought to the United States as minors, and who frequently have negligible ties to the countries from which they came.”
The Council also stated that they support the statements that were made by Pink and the Board of Trustees.
“We also demand that our congressional leaders act immediately to find a legislative solution ending the real and current damage this change in policy is having on our students, our community, and our nation,” Conner wrote.
While these statements are being made by GRCC, all across Michigan other four-year colleges have signed a letter to Sen. Debbie Stabenow asking her to try to create a solution for the DACA situation. The document was written on Sept. 7.
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This story was revised on Tues. Sept. 12 to add additional information.
[…] “From an economic standpoint, ending DACA is an expensive loss,” Bruinsma said. “These students contribute millions of dollars to our local and state economy every year. From a moral standpoint, ending DACA is a blemish. These students were young children when they arrived here and they are classmates, employees, and friends. Because this college has a deep and divided commitment to inclusion, equity and removing barriers to education, I’m grateful that this board, Dr. Pink, and the faculty council have asked that Congress extend DACA before it expires for the benefit of our students, our community, and our state.” To learn more about the earlier statements made by Pink, the board and faculty council concerning DACA, click here. […]