Today, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security communicated President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by March 5, 2018. The program was put into place in 2012, by then President Barack Obama, to allow undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors to receive temporary protected status from deportation along with work authorization. Attorneys general from several states threatened to sue the federal government if President Trump did not end the program by September 5, reportedly prompting today’s announcement. In the announcement, the administration punted the decision on the ultimate future of DACA back to Congress.

The response from the higher education community is expected to be strong. Several national associations have already issued statements (see below) and significant direct advocacy is expected. Congress will have just a few months to put forward legislation, addressing the DREAMers, which to date has been elusive.

DHS Memorandum on Rescission of DACA

DHS Fact Sheet on Rescission of DACA

DHS FAQs on Rescission of DACA

Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities Statement

Association of American Universities Statement

American Council on Education Statement