Dear Campus Community:
As our nationwide dialog about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) continues to unfold, I stand with the hundreds of university presidents – and Minnesota, business, community and Congressional leaders from both parties – urging our federal delegation to preserve DACA’s protections. The termination of DACA would leave thousands of young people across the country with uncertain futures. Some of those young people could be our students.
Since DACA was enacted five years ago, nearly 800,000 individuals who have received the protections have studied in schools and universities, started families or have pursued careers. In Minnesota, the Office of Higher Education is assuring its website visitors that despite the loss of DACA, the Minnesota Dream Act remains in place for Minnesota students who qualify.
Earlier today Interim Chancellor Devinder Malhotra issued a statement saying, “We are committed to working with our students, our faculty, our staff, and our representatives in Washington toward a long-term solution that supports DACA students and allows them to continue to contribute to our vibrant communities throughout Minnesota and to our economy. Our campuses will remain safe and welcoming places of inclusion, hope, and opportunity for all of our students, faculty, and staff.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you for everything you do in support of all our students.
Sincerely yours,
Ashish K. Vaidya
Interim President
