What the DACA Announcement Means
On Monday, September 5th, 2017 U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration is rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA temporarily shields undocumented individuals who came to the country before age 16 and meet other requirements from deportation. About 800,000 people have received DACA status since the program’s inception in 2012, thousands of whom are community college students.
What it Means
The Trump administration will wind down the DACA program, as specified in a Department of Homeland security memorandum. No new DACA enrollments will be accepted after today, though applications received as of September 5 will be adjudicated. DACA recipients whose current two-year exemption ends in the next six months will be able to apply for renewal, though they must file their applications by October 5. DACA recipients whose status ends after next March 5 will not be able to renew. DACA recipients will then return to their status as it existed prior to the program.
Perhaps most importantly in the immediate term, they will lose their work authorizations upon losing DACA status, potentially ending the employment of thousands of people. DACA status also is the linchpin for other benefits, including in-state tuition in some places. Longer-term, former DACA recipients will once again be subject to deportation, though it remains unclear how they will be prioritized by the administration. Legal challenges to today’s decision are likely to follow, but may face a stiff challenge based on court actions to date.*
This legislation does not impact the ASSET state law and does not affect immigration status or lawful presence. Learn about the difference between ASSET and DACA on the Colorado Asset Website.
Community College of Denver will continue to support our DACA students because we know first-hand the positive impact they have on our local and state communities.
And now we’re asking you to take action. We know that there is strong Congressional support for restoring DACA via the DREAM Act or similar legislation. Contact your representatives now to voice your strong objection to the ending of the DACA program and urge them to find an immediate legislative solution such as the DREAM Act to prevent the lives of so many Americans from being so harmfully impacted.*
Community College of Denver remains an open access college that welcomes all in our community who have a desire to learn.
We will keep you posted as information becomes available.
*Information provided by the American Association of Community Colleges