Dear Pitzer Community,

This morning, the Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy enacted by former President Obama. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Justice Department will “wind down” the program that allows nearly 800,000 undocumented “Dreamers” to stay in the US without fear of deportation.

The Department of Homeland Security will stop processing any new applications for the program as of Tuesday, but plans to continue renewing permits for anyone whose DACA status expires in the next six months. This is intended to give Congress time to act by March 5, 2018, before any currently protected individuals lose the legal protections that enable them to work, study and live in the US.

Pitzer College reaffirms its commitment to its – and America’s – core values of social justice and intercultural understanding, and will continue to recognize the right of all DACA students to pursue the American Dream. DACA students were brought to the US by their parents, grew up as Americans in the only home they ever knew, and are doing the hard work of gaining an education to provide for themselves, their families and the nation.

We will not turn away from the commitments we have made to DACA students and other vulnerable immigrant students. These students are quintessential representatives of Pitzer, embodying in their courageous actions and spirit our shared values. To our Dreamers, please know that we support you during this difficult period.

It is now time for Pitzer to come together as a community to support each other and to individually and collectively lobby for legislative changes to support the spirit of DACA. Call your elected representatives and policy contacts and ask for their support for legislative remedies to preserve the intent of DACA.

We are following this developing story and will update you as events unfold. For additional details, please visit the following related links:

Trump ends DACA, but gives Congress window to save it – CNN
National Immigration Law Center – DACA – National Immigration Law Center
DACA Update: Five Things You Should Know – National Immigration Law Center
US Immigration: DACA and Dreamers Explained – CNN
How Higher-Education Leaders Are Fighting for DACA – The Atlantic

I encourage those who are experiencing difficulty to utilize the resources available to them. Students should contact Pitzer’s Office of Student Affairs staff, the Chaplains of The Claremont Colleges and the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services Center for resources and support. Faculty and staff should contact the Office of Human Resources.

Melvin L. Oliver
President

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For more information on Pitzer College’s commitment to DREAMers visit our Sanctuary page.