Nine Year Anniversary Anniversary of DACA Brings Hope, Higher Ed Access, and Uncertainty

NINE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DACA BRINGS HOPE, HIGHER ED ACCESS, AND UNCERTAINTY
DACA enables over 800,000 to pursue education and employment opportunities

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2021
Contact: Jose Magaña-Salgado (jose@presidentsalliance.org)

Washington, D.C.—Since its inception on June 15, 2012, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has allowed individuals who were brought to the United States as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit in the U.S. In many states, DACA enabled these individuals to enroll in public colleges or universities or access in-state tuition. Tomorrow marks the nine year anniversary of the program, of which over 800,000 young undocumented immigrants are recipients. Today, we applaud the creation of DACA and will continue to advocate for continued protections for Dreamers, whether in the courts, Congress, or public forum. 

Jose Magaña-Salgado, DACA Recipient and Director of Policy and Communications for the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “As a DACA recipient myself, I know first-hand that DACA affirms the ability for myself and others like me to contribute to our communities, access higher education, and obtain the professional licensing needed to begin one’s career. DACA is particularly important to the 181,000 DACA-eligible students. The Presidents’ Alliance reiterates its call on Congress to finally, at long last, provide relief to DACA recipients and the broader Dreamer population.

 Christian Penichet-Paul, Director of the Higher Ed Immigration Portal for the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “Today’s ninth-year anniversary of DACA is a reminder of the strength and resiliency of undocumented youth who came to the U.S. as children and have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives. As highlighted in the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, DACA allows thousands of individuals to pursue higher education, help fill critical skills shortages, and become better positioned to support their families, communities, and—as a result—the U.S. economy. However, DACA is not a permanent answer. It is Congress’ responsibility to take action to protect Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED recipients from deportation and ensure that they can continue to pursue higher education and work legally in the U.S.”

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The non-partisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to advance just immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus level that are consistent with our heritage as a ‘nation of immigrants’ and the academic values of equity and openness. The Alliance is composed of over 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.