On Sept. 5, The Trump Administration announced that it ordered the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, that was put in place under Obama. This program allows for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children or infants to be protected from deportation for two years and obtain a work permit. Recipients can apply to renew their DACA status after it expires. There are many students at universities across the country who are DACA recipients and depend on this status to remain in school and in the country.
DU, along with over 600 other colleges and universities, has stated its support for DACA and the students who benefit from it.
“The University of Denver will do everything within its power to support all of our students. The University abides by all federal, state and local laws, which offer many protections to our students,” said Chancellor Rebecca Chopp in a statement released Sept. 5.
“Specifically, the University does not and will not voluntarily share student information with immigration enforcement officials, nor will we voluntarily grant access to University property to such officials for the purposes of enforcement or investigation. Our admission and housing practices will remain consistent with our nondiscrimination policy,” the statement goes on to say.
“The Immigration Legal Resource Center has created a helpful advisory document that addresses the implications of the end of the DACA program. We recommend students read the document to understand their rights and legal responsibilities.”
The Korbel School of International Studies has released a publication on the DU website titled “What Are the Implications of the 2016 Election for DACA, Deportation, and Immigration?” laying out specific recommendations for students with DACA about renewal, and recommendations for members of the university for ways of supporting undocumented students. This page also gives context to DACA as a whole, including the implications of the election, a specific Colorado context, insight into the wider conversation of immigration, and responses to a list of questions about the subject. It also supplies readers with a list of Colorado organizations and resources outside the university for addressing these issues.
DU offers up to $25,000 per year in merit-based financial aid to undocumented students, as well as other scholarships based on the arts and athletics, and encourages undocumented students to apply to DU.
A nonprofit organization called the Mission Asset Fund is offering scholarships for up to 2,000 DACA recipients to renew their status before it runs out in March of 2018. Renewal costs an average of $495, and the nonprofit hopes to help those who struggle to acquire the funds.
In January of this year, Chancellor Chopp released a statement titled “DU’s principles of protection and support” that addresses worries following the election about the protections for undocumented and Muslim students. This statement also has a list of principles that DU promises to uphold, including not assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in investigations and continuing to admit students in accordance with its nondiscrimination policy.
Stay up to date with university publications and statements in order to be aware of all the resources available and recommendations from the university regarding undocumented students.
