President's Cabinet statement on DACA

September 5, 2017

The Trump administration today rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which since 2012 has provided legal protection and eligibility for a work permit to approximately 800,000 individuals who entered the U.S. illegally as children and remain undocumented. The order states that termination of DACA will become effective six months from now. Until then, it is possible that Congress will enact new immigration policies that will enable DACA registrants to remain in the country, but we cannot know at this time whether that will happen or what kind of alternative the federal government might propose.

We want to assert once again that, as a teaching and learning community, our mission, and therefore our commitment, is to support everyone in our community who seeks to expand their mind and skills, find their passion, contribute to society and the world, and ensure a bright, productive future for themselves and their family – through education. We support all scholars who join our community, regardless of their immigration status or national origin. Moreover, as a compassionate, humane, and empathetic community, we remain committed to our core values of diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination.

University Counsel Brent Geraty, coordinating with University Dean of Student Affairs Donna Eddleman and Assistant Provost for Internationalization Steve Wuhs, is analyzing the president’s order and preparing more comprehensive guidelines for those who may be affected. In the meantime:

  • Read the latest guidance offered by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center here.
  • If you are a DACA recipient or are otherwise undocumented, we advise that you not travel out of the country at this time. If you are a DACA recipient currently outside of the country, we advise you to return to the U.S. as quickly as possible.
  • We want to reiterate that U of R student records are not released without student consent or a judicial order. Law enforcement must present a warrant or subpoena before the University may be compelled to assist in contacting any member of our community.
  • You might wish to re-read the “FAQs” in the attached University Announcement from last December.
  • If you are a student of any status whose personal or family financial situation has been or may be impacted by this change, please contact Student Financial Services atsfs@redlands.edu or 909-748-8047.
  • Whether or not you are registered with the DACA program, if you need general guidance, please contact the Office of the University Dean of Student Affairs at 909-748-8053.
  • The Counseling Center will have walk-in hours today for students seeking support around the DACA decision. The Center is open now and available to students until 5:00 p.m.  No appointment is necessary.

We will write again soon with updates, more specifics, and recommendations about the impact of this action on our fellow Bulldogs. If you are or may be affected, please know that we are with you. We will do all that is possible – humanly, legally, morally – to enable you to finish the goals that you set out to achieve when you came to Redlands.