Letter to our Colorado Communities: A Statement from the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colleges and Universities on DACA
A year ago, all of us came together with colleges and universities from across the nation to join anamicusbrief in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the case before the Supreme Court. On Sept. 5, 2017, the federal executive administration rescinded DACA, an initiative that provides work permits and protection from deportation for more than 700,000 undocumented students, often known as “Dreamers.” Like many in the immigrant community, the presidents of Colorado’s public and private colleges and universities await the upcoming ruling from the Supreme Court.
We offer our unwavering support for our DACA and immigrant students and families. These students bring a tremendous amount of diversity to campuses across the nation, especially here in Colorado. Our nation and institutions have invested in the success of these students and the continued existence of DACA is essential to ensure the career and life success of these immigrant youth. The triumph of DACA students is our triumph, whether ensuring robust graduates, injecting new perspectives and diversity into our campuses and communities, or expanding our nation’s tax base—our institutions stand behind DACA students and Dreamers.
Our students contribute much more to our communities than can be measured. Our DACA students have taught us what it means to dedicate oneself to your dreams and your community with determination and resolve. They remind us every single day what it means to continue to believe in the promise of the American dream and why we must do everything we can to defend it.
DACA recipients are American in every way; they built their lives here and contribute to our campuses, communities and our country’s economy daily. We believe it is vital to protect this vulnerable population when their futures are in question. Their home is here with their families, their classmates, their professors, and their communities. We will do everything we can to defend their rightful place in this country. We believe it is vital during such tumultuous times that we look to rebuild and reimagine an America that is more just and inclusive.
To our DACA students:
- We stand shoulder to shoulder with you; we will rethink and reimagine what pathways to opportunity will look like. You are not alone.
-We are committed to advocating for state and federal policies to provide permanent legislative solutions that honor the work and sacrifice of you and your families.
- We recognize the fear, pain, and anger this decision brings. We are ready to support you on our campuses by making resources available to address mental health and well-being and create spaces where you can process and heal.
We hope, for the sake of justice and equity, the Supreme Court recognizes the valuable contribution DACA recipients make to higher education in Colorado and the nation.
Sincerely,
Tim Alvarez, President,Otero Junior College
Lance Bolton, President,Pikes Peak Community College
Leah L. Bornstein, President,Aims Community College
Janine Davidson, President,Metropolitan State 91
Philip P. DiStefano, Chancellor,University of Colorado Boulder
Stephanie Donner, Executive Director,Emily Griffith Technical College
Andy Dorsey, President,Front Range Community College
Diana Doyle, President,Arapahoe Community College
Donald Elliman, Jr., Chancellor,University of Colorado Anschutz
Rhonda Epper, President,Trinidad State Junior College
Patty Erjavec, President,Pueblo Community College
Andy Feinstein, President,University of Northern Colorado
Father John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J., President,Regis University
Tim Foster, President,Colorado Mesa University
Tony Frank, Chancellor,Colorado State University System
Curt Freed, President,Morgan Community College
Everette Freeman, President,Community College of 91
Joe Garcia, Chancellor,Colorado Community College System
Ron Granger, President,Colorado Northwestern Community College
Jeremy Haefner, Chancellor,91
Michele Haney, President,Red Rocks Community College
Carrie Besnette Hauser, President & CEO,Colorado Mountain College
Dorothy Horrell, Chancellor,University of Colorado 91
Paul Johnson, President,Colorado School of Mines
Mark R. Kennedy, President,University of Colorado System
Jay Lee, President,Northeastern Junior College
Charles G. Lief, President,Naropa University
Cheryl D. Lovell, President,Adams State University
Linda Lujan, President,Lamar Community College
Joyce McConnell, President,Colorado State University Fort Collins
Tim Mottet, President,Colorado State University Pueblo
Betsy Oudenhoven, President,Community College of Aurora
Angie Paccione, Executive Director,Colorado Department of Higher EducationVenkat Reddy, Chancellor,University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Greg Salsbury, President,Western Colorado University
Tom Stritikus, President,Fort Lewis College
Jill Tiefenthaler, President,Colorado College
Collen Walker, Chief Executive Officer,Auraria Higher Education Center