The University of Rochester is celebrating today the decision from the US Supreme Court that rejects the Trump administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program created to protect undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children.
The University has often reaffirmed its unqualified support to its undocumented students and employees who study and work here under DACA because we know that our institution is immeasurably better as a result of their presence and contributions. Since 2017 when the DACA program was first threatened, we have worked with our congressional delegation and with higher education associations to continue to express our strong support for the program within the limits of the law. And over this time, so many of our students and other University community members have also delivered powerful public expressions of support to their affected classmates and colleagues who were dealing with the uncertainties of being allowed to remain in the United States.
Today we join with other higher education institutions to celebrate, but we know that a permanent solution has not been found and that our DACA and undocumented students and scholars will likely face new immigration challenges in the months and years to come. The anxiety will continue to loom large for them. The University, however, will continue to be a strong ally to our Rochester family members during these times, offering needed support and assistance in all ways possible.
