The Trump administration announced today that it has decided to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, secure legal jobs and enroll in college without fear of deportation.
DACA was founded by the Obama Administration by Executive Order in June 2012. The program allows certain undocumented immigrants who have entered the country under the age of 16 to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation. DACA protects approximately 800,000 people from deportation.
During a news briefing televised by ABC News, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, “as Attorney General, it is my duty to ensure the laws of the United States are enforced and Constitutional order is upheld.”
On Friday Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink sent an email to faculty and staff at GRCC regarding the institution’s full support of the DACA program.
“As the [Trump] administration considers the fates of more than 750,000 young people registered under DACA,Grand Rapids Community College affirms its strong support for our DACA students and urges President Trump to work with us and all higher education institutions in continuing to assist these students,” Pink stated in the email.
Provost Laurie Chesley reacts to the cut of the DACA program.
“We will remain committed to being supportive to undocumented students and we will find a legislative solution that is humane and helpful to undocumented students,” Laurie Chesley said. “Our concern is for our students to feel safe and welcome. Myself, along with the President and everyone else here will be watching closely with what’s happening in congress and do what’s best for all our students.”
“Grand Rapids Community College urges the Trump Administration to work with Congressional leaders to implement a long-term solution that supports DACA students,” Pink said.
Pink was unavailable for comment immediately following the Trump administration’s DACA announcement.
A further explanation of DACA and what it does can be found here.
Check the Collegiate Live website for continued coverage regarding the DACA program.
[…] You can see part of what he said at The Collegiate Live. […]
[…] 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. […]