ICYMI: Thousands of elected officials, faith and business leaders speak out in support of Dreamers
Within just the first few hours of the Trump Administration’s announcement that they would terminate DACA, thousands of elected officials, faith, and business leaders have spoken out about the urgent need for Congress to act to protect Dreamers. Below is just a small sampling of the outpouring of support in the first few hours alone. While this is an incredible show of momentum in support of Dreamers, we need members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to work together to bring a bill to a vote immediately to pass a permanent legislative solution.
Members of Congress
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan Statement (R-WI)
“At the heart of this issue are young people who came to this country through no fault of their own, and for many of them it’s the only country they know… It is my hope that the House and Senate ,with the president’s leadership, will be able to find consensus on a permanent legislative solution that includes ensuring that those who have done nothing wrong can still contribute as a valued part of this great country.”
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
“In the next week, I’ll be introducing legislation that will provide a fair and rigorous path for undocumented children to earn legal status by requiring them to be employed, pursue higher education, or serve in our Armed Forces. I know this kind of commonsense legislative fix can and should unite members of Congress, and I’ll be working closely with my colleagues on the path forward. It’s up to my Democratic colleagues to decide whether they want a permanent solution or to make this a political wedge issue. I hope they’ll choose bipartisanship.”
“The young people in the DACA program need a permanent, commonsense solution that will allow them to continue working and going to school in the only country that many of them have ever known.”
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
“I have long supported accommodating those brought to this country illegally through no fault of their own. However, I have always felt that President Obama’s executive action was unconstitutional and that the right way to address this issue was through legislation. Congress now has less than six months to deal with this the right way, through the legislative process. It is important that the White House clearly outline what kind of legislation the president is willing to sign. We have no time to waste on ideas that do not have the votes to pass or that the president won’t sign.”
U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
“It is right for there to be consequences for those who intentionally entered this country illegally. However, we as Americans do not hold children legally accountable for the actions of their parent. In the coming months, Congress must address this issue.”
U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH-12)
“As the son of immigrants who legally came to the United States from Italy, I have seen the success story of legal immigration firsthand. In order to ensure this country remains a beacon of hope we must adhere to the Constitution, which empowers Congress to write immigration laws, not the executive branch. Congress has six months to act. This is an opportunity for us to identify needed solutions that are fair and orderly for Dreamers who didn’t choose to break our laws and know no other home than America.”
U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
“President Trump’s decision to eliminate DACA is the wrong approach to immigration policy at a time when both sides of the aisle need to come together to reform our broken immigration system and secure the border.
“I strongly believe that children who were illegally brought into this country through no fault of their own should not be forced to return to a country they do not know. The 800,000 innocent young people granted deferred action under DACA over the last several years are pursuing degrees, starting careers, and contributing to our communities in important ways. While I disagreed with President Obama’s unilateral action on this issue, I believe that rescinding DACA at this time is an unacceptable reversal of the promises and opportunities that have been conferred to these individuals.
“The federal government has a responsibility to defend and secure our borders, but we must do so in a way that upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation. I will be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to devise and pass comprehensive immigration reform, which will include the DREAM Act.
U.S. Congressman David Valadao (R-CA-21)
“For years, Congress has failed to repair our broken immigration system. However, in light of the President’s announcement, Congress must come together within the next six months to reach a legislative solution. I will continue to advocate on behalf of dreamers. America is the only home these young people know and I will do everything in my power to ensure those who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own are not unjustly punished.”
U.S. Congressman Jeff Denham (R-CA-10)
“We should be dedicating our resources to securing our borders and deporting the violent criminals preying on our communities, not going after individuals who were brought to America as children through no fault of their own. The government asked these young men and women to come out of the shadows, and they have passed background checks, opened bank accounts, gotten jobs, enrolled in our universities — all positive contributions to our society and our economy. To target them now is wrong. We have several widely-supported immigration reform bills already introduced this Congress, in both the House and Senate, that would address a path forward for DACA recipients. We must act immediately to pass these if we’re to meet the president’s six-month deadline.”
U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI-6)
“For these young men and women, the United States is their home. They’ve been raised in our neighborhoods, attended our schools, served in our military, and worked in our communities. I’ve met with countless concerned individuals impacted by DACA and heard from local universities, restaurant and small business owners, as well as my farmer friends who all agree we must take care of these folks. This is why I’ve long-supported using a compassionate but accountable way to legislatively address these undocumented minors brought to our country through no fault of their own.
“Rather than executive order, it is the responsibility of Congress to work together on fair, rigorous, and bipartisan legislation that addresses the long-term uncertainty facing these young people. To that end, I have already co-sponsored two bills that represent common-sense ways to address DACA. In the coming weeks and months I will continue to work with anyone to fix our long-broken immigration system and to give certainty to Dreamers who know no country but America.”
U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
“It should be evident from the fear and confusion surrounding DACA that executive actions have a short-shelf life and are a poor substitute for permanent, bipartisan legislation to fix our broken immigration system. The ball is back in Congress’ court where it belongs, and there are a lot of innocent kids counting on Congress to do its job. Congress must act immediately to pass permanent, stand-alone legislation to lawfully ensure that children who were brought here by their parents, through no fault of their own, are able to stay and finish their education and continue to contribute to society.”
“DACA was an illegal abuse of executive power, and it’s important to reaffirm that the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the law. Today’s decision puts the ball in Congress’ court to address the problem of the approximately three quarter million DACA participants, who originally came to the country as children. A balance between compassion and deterring future illegal immigration can be found.”
U.S. Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA-08)
“Children who were brought here by no fault of their own see America as their country and their home. They are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, spouses, and honored members of the military willing to sacrifice their life for our freedom. Punishing these individuals who have contributed so much to our communities and for a crime they did not commit is not in the American DNA. We are a caring, compassionate people and we in Congress must work toward a long-term immigration solution that is fair, respects the dignity of families, and allows all individuals to pursue the American dream.”
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)
“Now more than ever, it is time we roll up our sleeves and stand with these young people who contribute to our community and our economy. Republicans in Congress must immediately allow a vote on the DREAM Act, a bipartisan bill we introduced again this summer. We are better than this.”
U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL-26)
“Over the years, immigrant children have arrived in our country — brought by their parents who either crossed one of our borders or overstayed their visas. For most of these young people, the United States is the only country they have ever called home. These children have attended school with our own children, worship at our churches, and grow up seeking to serve in our military, pursue a degree in higher learning, or contribute to our workforce and economy.
“These are America’s children and they should not have to live in constant fear of being deported to their parents’ homeland, a place many of them have no connection to or memories of living in.
“The Administration’s decision reinforces what we have known for some time — Congress must take action to provide a fair and permanent solution for these young immigrants. The Recognizing America’s Children Act I introduced earlier this year would not only give peace of mind to hundreds of thousands across the country but also help grow our economy and create new jobs. It’s also just the right thing to do.
“I encourage the President to focus on deporting criminals, not enforcement that divides families. But more importantly, I urge all my Congressional colleagues who want to help these young people– all thoroughly vetted — to support responsible immigration policies like the RAC Act, and I call on Leadership to bring it to the Floor for a vote. To all Americans who have it in their hearts to do something for these innocent young people, call your representatives and Congressional leaders and tell them the time to do the right thing is now.”
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)
“Children who were brought to the United States illegally, at a young age, are not at fault and deserve our support. However, President Obama did not have the legal authority to create the DACA program and to ignore enforcement of existing immigration law. President Trump’s decision to end this program, while giving Congress six months to come up with a legislative solution, is the right step. Congress needs to pass legislation to accommodate these young people while simultaneously addressing the other challenges within our deeply broken immigration system, including stopping dangerous sanctuary cities, strengthening border security, and cracking down on companies that hire people who are here illegally.”
U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27)
“I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to find a permanent legislative solution that protects DREAMers so that our nation does not lose this treasure trove of young people who only truly know and love the United States as their home. I call on my Congressional colleagues to debate and vote on the DREAM Act that my colleague, Lucille Roybal-Allard, and I have presented, or on one of the many bills proposed such as the RAC Act or BRIDGE Act to help Dreamers achieve permanence and certainty.”
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07)
“Over the last five years, DACA has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who came to this country as children. This doesn’t even account for the ripple effect it has had on the family and friends of DACA recipients or the positive impact of DACA on our society more broadly. Across the nation, companies, schools and communities have greatly benefited from the talent, skill and unique perspective of the young people granted DACA status in America. The moral cost of repealing DACA is immeasurable. Economically, our country will lose $460.3 billion in GDP over the next decade from this repeal.
“I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to immediately pass stand-alone legislation to protect Dreamers.
“Let me be clear: Our immigrant brothers and sisters are here to stay. Not only are they welcome in our communities — they are essential to our communities. I will continue to fight alongside Dreamers and the immigrant rights movement. I ask my Republican colleagues to consider which side of justice they wish to be on, and join us in passing legislation to protect Dreamers once and for all.”
U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall (R-KS-01)
“The young people covered by DACA are not just a statistic on a DHS report. These are friends of my children, brothers and sisters of babies I’ve delivered, and members of my community. They didn’t put themselves in this position, and my heart goes out to them.
The United States is in this position due to the unilateral approach the previous administration took toward enacting DACA. It is because of that one-sided approach that we now have uncertainty and inconsistency throughout the entire immigration system. Consistency should be the hallmark of American governance.
Our resources, especially as they pertain to deportation, must remain focused on getting rid of bad people who present a danger to the American citizen — not a young person who is here simply due to circumstance. To date, 787,000 young people have legally registered with the U.S. government, and showed their willingness to follow our laws. We cannot allow that information to now be used against them in reverse order.
We are having these conversations now in Congress. Just a month ago, a Democrat colleague of mine and I got a bipartisan group of freshmen Members of Congress in a room to discuss what we can do to move forward on bipartisan, thoughtful solutions to the crises many communities and families are now facing.
Congress must use legal, legislative avenues to figure out how to help these young people, so long as they follow our laws. My priorities on this issue have always been, and will remain, to secure the border and help develop a workable visa for our farmers and producers back home. We must do right by them, by these young people and the safety of the American public.”
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
“America has been and always will be a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. However, many young undocumented children were brought here by parents, caretakers, and so forth through no fault of their own. As I have stated many times before, we must show compassion toward these children…It is now incumbent upon Congress to act. We have an opportunity to solve this issue, work to secure the border, and modernize the legal immigration system.”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12)
“The President’s cruel and heartless decision to start deporting DREAMers in six months demands an immediate response from the Republican Congress. Speaker Ryan and the Republican House leadership must bring the DREAM Act to the floor for a vote without delay.”
U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-03)
“In his statement today, the president said he does not favor punishing children for the actions of their parents. I agree, and Congress must now act to treat DACA recipients with compassion. The president is not revoking DACA status immediately, but is giving Congress time to provide permanent relief for those who’ve been caught in legal limbo…I believe we can uphold national security, protect opportunities for American citizens, and provide assurances to DACA recipients in Southwest Washington who have done nothing wrong that we understand their plight and that they can build a future here in the only country that many of them have ever known.”
U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16)
“In 2015, I voted to support DACA because I believe these children, who only know America to be their home, deserve an opportunity to be here legally.
“With that said, Congress now has an opportunity to act on immigration reform and we have the support here to do it. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1468, the Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act, it is my hope that the House will consider this legislation, sponsored by my friend and colleague Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), so we can act on this important issue sooner rather than later. It’s critical that we act on a permanent, legislative solution that allows these immigrants, individuals who have come out of the shadows and contributed to our society and economy, to stay here legally.”
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
“Just as President Nixon went to China, President Trump uniquely can lead a revision of our immigration laws that secures our borders, improves our system of legal immigration and solves problems such as the 800,000 children who grew up here, but were brought here illegally. I voted for such a law in 2013 and am willing to work with the president to do that again.”
U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04)
“Dreamers are Americans in every way but their paperwork, and forcing them to once again live in fear of deportation only serves to further divide our country and excite anti-immigrant extremists on the far right. Republicans in Congress who have spoken in support of DACA must now come together with Democrats and take action to ensure that Dreamers can continue to live and work and contribute to their communities without the constant threat of being deported from the only home they’ve ever known. Sending President Trump a bill to protect Dreamers is the least that we can do — and we should follow it by finally taking up comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship for all the millions of hard-working, law-abiding undocumented immigrants living in the shadows of American society.”
Business Leaders & CEOs
Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
“This is a sad day for our country. The decision to end DACA is not just wrong. It is particularly cruel to offer young people the American Dream, encourage them to come out of the shadows and trust our government, and then punish them for it.
The young people covered by DACA are our friends and neighbors. They contribute to our communities and to the economy. I’ve gotten to know some Dreamers over the past few years, and I’ve always been impressed by their strength and sense of purpose. They don’t deserve to live in fear.
DACA protects 800,000 Dreamers — young people brought to this country by their parents. Six months from today, new DACA recipients will start to lose their ability to work legally and will risk immediate deportation every day.
It’s time for Congress to act to pass the bipartisan Dream Act or another legislative solution that gives Dreamers a pathway to citizenship. For years, leaders from both parties have been talking about protecting Dreamers. Now it’s time to back those words up with action. Show us that you can lead. No bill is perfect, but inaction now is unacceptable.
Our team at FWD.us has been working alongside Dreamers in this fight, and we’ll be doing even more in the weeks ahead to make sure Dreamers have the protections they deserve.
If you live in the US, call your members of Congress and tell them to do the right thing. We have always been a nation of immigrants, and immigrants have always made our nation stronger. You can learn more and get connected at Dreamers.FWD.us.”
Microsoft President and Legal Officer Brad Smith
“We are deeply disappointed by the administration’s decision today to rescind protection under the program for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). As we said last week, we believe this is a big step back for our entire country.
The question for individuals, employers and the country is what we do now.
For Microsoft, the first step is clear. The administration has given Congress six months to replace DACA with new legislation. We believe this means that Congress now needs to reprioritize the fall legislative calendar and move quickly with new legislation to protect these 800,000 Dreamers. This means that Congress should adopt legislation on DACA before it tries to adopt a tax reform bill. This is the only way, given the number of legislative days Congress has scheduled over the next six months, we realistically can expect Congress to complete DACA legislation in time.
We say this even though Microsoft, like many other companies, cares greatly about modernizing the tax system and making it fairer and more competitive. But we need to put the humanitarian needs of these 800,000 people on the legislative calendar before a tax bill. As an employer, we appreciate that Dreamers add to the competitiveness and economic success of our company and the entire nation’s business community. In short, urgent DACA legislation is both an economic imperative and a humanitarian necessity.
As this debate moves forward, we need to remember that these 800,000 individuals came to our nation as children. They grew up in this country. They attended our local schools and count millions of American citizens as friends. They obey our laws, pay taxes here and have registered voluntarily with the federal government for DACA relief. They are loyal to this country and contribute their time and money to local churches, schools and community groups. The Dreamers are part of our nation’s fabric. They belong here.
That’s why we believe a second point is also fundamental. Although we should all ask Congress to act within six months, we should be prepared for the possibility that it will not do so. Such a failure would not relieve anyone else in the country of the responsibility to act thoughtfully and wisely.
This is why we will work as needed with other companies and the broader business community to vigorously defend the legal rights of all Dreamers. For the 39 Dreamers that we know of who are our employees, our commitment is clear. If Congress fails to act, our company will exercise its legal rights properly to help protect our employees. If the government seeks to deport any one of them, we will provide and pay for their legal counsel. We will also file an amicus brief and explore whether we can directly intervene in any such case. In short, if Dreamers who are our employees are in court, we will be by their side.
We appreciate that even limited immigration legislation like DACA is complex, controversial and even difficult. We also appreciate that this issue arises at a time of other important national priorities and sharp divisions within Congress. But when it comes to DACA, there are too many affected people who contribute too much to our country for Congress to fall short. There are leaders on both sides of the aisle who have long championed this issue. And there is a growing list of supporters from across the country who want to see this get done. We’re confident that Microsoft is but one of many companies and groups that will support them.”
In a note to employees, meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook similarly said he is “deeply dismayed” by Trump’s decision — and pledged the company would “work with members of Congress from both parties to advocate for a legislative solution that provides permanent protections for all the Dreamers in our country.”
Cook also said the company would provide the roughly 250 at Apple affected by the decision with the “support they need, including the advice of immigration experts.”
“On behalf of the hundreds of employees at Apple whose futures are at stake; on behalf of their colleagues and on behalf of the millions more across America who believe, as we do, in the power of dreams, we issue an urgent plea for our leaders in Washington to protect the Dreamers so their futures can never be put at risk in this way again,” Cook said in the note obtained by Recode.
Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert Iger
Leaders of Faith
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life
“Shame on this administration for their unrelenting attacks on the immigrant community, especially Dreamers. My prayer is that Congress will act quickly to preserve the livelihoods of thousands of immigrant youth, whose futures lie in the balance.
“Preserving immigrant families and sustaining the dreams of our immigrant brothers and sisters is both a moral and theological duty. An attack on immigrants is an attack on the church. That which President Trump does to these people, he does to Jesus.”
Rev. Rachel Gunter Shapard, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida
“As Christians, our sacred text calls us to love the immigrant, to refrain from the oppression of foreigners, to treat the resident alien the same as we treat the native, to welcome the stranger. But the immigrants who call the United States home are not aliens or strangers; they are our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues at work and our partners in ministry. The Dreamers have been our children’s playmates on the playground and their classmates at school. They are seeking to live productive, creative lives. Now it is time to stand by our word by putting the DREAM Act in place.”
Rabbi Rick Shapiro, Jacksonville, FL
The Jewish community has a long history of active engagement in the struggles of new immigrants. This involvement is grounded in the most oft-repeated injunction in the Bible — to treat the stranger humanely, with love, compassion and justice. Since 2012, the DACA program has enabled eligible young people who came to this country as children to come forward and pass background checks in exchange for permission to live and work in America without fear of deportation. Ending this protection would be cruel and inhumane, separating families and violating promises made to children, the least able among us to advocate and care for themselves.
Rev. Joe Parramore, CEO/Founding Pastor
“Let us remind ourselves, that immigrants built our great nation. To deprive anyone of their dreams in a land where they seek sanctuary and opportunity is reprehensible and another slap in the face of humanity. I believe that all humanity, has been designed for accomplishment, engineered for success and endowed with seeds of greatness. Furthermore, as members of the community of faith, I believe that we have a moral obligation to lend our voices to those 800,000 dreamers and support their dreams and aspirations of living the American dream. Jesus said, ‘When you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.’”
Rev. Jack Mercer, Church on the Drive (CBF) Orlando, FL
“For many of these young people who had DACA, the United States is the only home they know. They have passed an extensive background check, paid a fee, graduated from high school, gone to college, or served in the military. My wife, who is a teacher, personally knows and loves many of these DACA students. Their families are our friends. They are our neighbors. It matters to God how we treat the alien, stranger, sojourner, or foreigner in our midst. The decision leaves the young people exposed and scared. We can do better than this. We must. I urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act.”
Pastor Bill Christensen, Vineyard Columbus, OH
“Followers of Jesus are called to imitate Him and the heart of God is always inclined toward the foreigner and vulnerable. The 800,000 DACA recipients are in America not by their own choice and most do not know the locales from which their parents came. We must welcome such people — an opportunity to exercise justice and mercy and stay true to our nation’s immigrant heritage.”
Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens, First Congregational Church, Columbus, OH
“As people of faith, we must defend and protect immigrants and refugees among us. It is our Biblical mandate. To destroy DACA is to destroy the dream of millions of young people who love this nation and want to make America home. Such an act is un-American and un-Christian.”
Rev. Tom Hagood, Columbia Presbyterian Church
“I listened to the story of a DACA recipient, who has been in the U.S. for the last 20 years. This is the only country he has ever known. He loves this nation. But he now lives with fear and anxiety that the country he loves is going to deport him into an unknown land. He is my neighbor. He is my brother. I stand with him and I pray that the country I know and love will once again be filled with compassion and mercy, allowing him to stay and live out his life in a nation that should welcome him.”
Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals
“Congresses have convened and adjourned from one election cycle to the next while Dreamers have waited. May this Congress step up to legislate for Dreamers and turn waiting into promise and hope.”
Scott Arbeiter, President, World Relief
“We have a clear and compelling moral obligation to the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who are here among us. We cannot fail these children and young people nor our national interest yet again. Congress must act. I believe there is bipartisan support for legislation that will put our compassion, wisdom and moral courage into law.”
Shirley V. Hoogstra, President, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
“Congress must act. The stakes are high. Extraordinary pressure on Congress and unimaginable consequences for DACA students and families are two motivators that must bring this long-needed and overdue legislation. The American people can hardly stand the current levels inaction and partisanship. Congress can restore our belief that people matter and that unnecessary penalty to innocent people is not tolerated. While cynicism lurks, every day presents new opportunities to make the laws we need. The CCCU intends to encourage and hold congressional friends and leaders accountable by working side by side with the Evangelical Immigration Table and our other partners in this work.”
Hyepin Im, CEO, Korean Christian Community Development/Faith and Community Empowerment
“With today’s announcement of rescission of DACA, the lives of more than 800,000 Dreamers are hanging in the balance. They are our youth in whom America has made great investments. Since DACA, many have demonstrated and contributed to the strength of America. We ask Congress to act expeditiously to ensure that these youths continue to contribute to making America the best that it aspires to be.”
Jo Anne Lyon, Ambassador, The Wesleyan Church
“I am asking Congress to please remember the DACA recipients who are in their own districts. This group of young people is making their districts stronger, but even more our nation stronger through their brilliance, integrity, hard work and loyalty to the United States. They are our leaders in building a strong society now and in the future for the common good of all.”
“Congress should do the right thing and provide a solution for those who were brought here by parents as children. Meanwhile, churches will be here to speak hope to children now thrown into fear and insecurity about their families and their futures.”
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
“I am disappointed that these protections are ending, and I’ve expressed that disappointment to the White House directly. … Thankfully, it is the job of Congress to make laws, and now the president has provided Congress a six-month window to legislate a more permanent and legally defensible solution for Dreamers. Six months is too long; we will demand action from Congress within 60 days. We do not intend on letting a single member of Congress have a good night’s rest until they guarantee our young people can rest easy. We will not be silent until every Dreamer can dream again.”
Rev. Tony Suarez, Executive Vice President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
“The president has put the onus on Congress, and it’s Congress’ responsibility to the American people and Dreamers to finally pass a permanent solution. While I think it would be best to keep DACA in place for the time being, I also understand the frustration of the American people and the White House with Congress’ inability to pass a permanent solution. I implore our elected representatives to solve this issue once and for all.”
Education
University of Texas Chancellor William H. McRaven
“With today’s announcement by the Administration regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, I want to take a moment to share some thoughts.
Our state and nation have benefited for decades by attracting and retaining great students, scholars, physicians, and researchers from around the world. As I have said before, the men and women who show up on our shores and at our doors — ready to study, work, and participate — make us stronger, smarter, more competitive, and more attuned to the rest of our ever-shrinking globe. Over time, we have seen that their contributions and discoveries help us secure our nation, care for our people, foster economic growth, and provide scientific expertise and innovation that improves the human condition.
For years, Texas has supported students who were born in foreign countries but were brought here as children and raised in the U.S. In fact, Texas was among the first states to grant these Texas high school graduates the opportunity to pay in-state tuition, a benefit The University of Texas System continues to support.
These students consider themselves to be Americans and Texans, proud of the state they see as their home. They, like others, have served our nation with distinction in their academic pursuits, in our nation’s military, and as productive members of society. This service should be applauded and honored. Our nation should recognize the potential in these students, granting them the opportunity to pursue their education and enter the workforce in this country.
The UT System will always follow the law. And while I understand the concern of the President and others about how DACA was implemented, the critical fact is that I and the UT System believe in our DACA students and that their opportunities to contribute to Texas and our nation should be upheld and continued by our leaders in Washington. Congress must now act quickly to provide a bridge for these students to remain in the U.S. and become citizens.
Let me also speak directly to you, our UT DACA students. You can be certain of our support as you continue to pursue your dreams — the American dream — to obtain an education and build a better future for you and your families. As UT adheres to federal and state laws regarding immigration, rest assured our campuses will remain places where you can safely study as Congress takes up this issue.
The international competition for the best students, scholars, physicians and researchers is fierce. We need loud and clear signals that the U.S. and Texas will continue to seek out the foremost talents in the world and welcome them to our institutions. For its part, the UT System will always pursue young men and women from around the world who wish to learn, and the scholars and researchers who will train and educate them.”
Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack
“Importantly, we will continue to actively and aggressively engage federal policymakers in an effort to either reverse today’s order or secure a legislative remedy. We are urging the White House and our elected officials in Washington to support legislative proposals including (but not limited to) bipartisan legislation — the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, a stopgap measure that would allow DACA students a three-year window of protection and halt them from being deported. Our commitment to Cornell University’s founding principles is unwavering. We support all our students in their quest to pursue their education and achieve their dreams.”
University of California President Napolitano
“I call upon the U.S. Congress to immediately pass bipartisan legislation that would provide a permanent solution for these young people — one that charts a secure pathway toward citizenship and allows these Dreamers to continue to live, work, and serve the only country most of them know as home. These youth need our protection and encouragement, and it is incumbent upon Congress to approve legislation that removes the uncertainty caused by President Trump’s misguided decision.”
