University’s commitment to our DACA students and their families

July 20, 2021

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

The recent ruling by a U.S. District Judge in Texas that has put a halt to several aspects of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), though extremely disappointing, does not in any way lessen the University’s commitment to our DACA students and their families. We support the Biden administration’s decision to have the Department of Justice appeal the decision.

The ruling, which was made last week by Judge Andrew S. Hanen in Texas, stated that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security violated federal law during the administration of President Barack Obama when DACA was first established. Our DACA students and their families deserve the rights and pathways that have been established through DACA. This new ruling is a step backward, and, sadly, reaffirms many of our DACA students and their families’ greatest fears regarding how supportive our justice system is in ensuring them a successful future.

The new decision does not impact our current DACA students or those whose status is currently being reviewed. The decision, however, does halt review of new DACA applicants. As with other times when there have been DACA court decisions that can adversely affect a students’ status, the University is recommending that all current DACA students in need of review do so as soon as possible. While Judge Hanen allowed current DACA recipients to continue filing their renewals, he warned that an order stopping the processing of renewals could be issued in the near future. Our University can help in this process. DACA information is available through our social services coordinator to help answer questions and to guide individuals through the process.

I have joined more than 200 other higher education leaders from throughout the country and have signed a letter from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to Senate leaders calling for immediate action to reverse this decision and for bipartisan action to provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and DACA-eligible individuals through a DREAM Act.

I also want our DACA students and families to know that we are a better University because of you. The dreams you have and the record of accomplishment that so many of our DACA students have had has long been a point of pride for our University. Our University stands firmly with our DACA students and their families. We wholeheartedly support all efforts by the Biden administration in appealing and ultimately reversing this decision.

Although disappointing, this latest ruling does not diminish our resolve. Our support for our DACA students and their families remains firm. We will not allow this to be the final say on the future of students whose presence on our campus and whose accomplishments embody the hope, optimism and opportunity that is at the core of what our University does.

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President