TO: University Community
FROM: Richard J. Helldobler, Interim President
DATE: August 31, 2017
RE: Solidarity with our DACA students
The White House administration is considering ending an Obama-era federal program that provides temporary protection for some of our undocumented students from deportation. A group of Republican state attorneys general have threatened to sue if the DACA program continues past their Sept. 5 deadline.
A discontinuation of this important program is unacceptable.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows about 800,000 people -- whose undocumented status is no fault of their own -- to get a work permit, a driver's license or pursue higher education at universities like Northeastern that welcome them.
To the 289 undocumented students who are currently enrolled at Northeastern, I have this to say: We have your back.
We always have, and we have services and people in place to provide you support. Northeastern's Director of Undocumented Student Resources, Luvia Moreno, is an excellent point person, and she can assist you as can the hundreds of Undocumented Student Allies who stand at your side here at Northeastern. I support you and your efforts to further your education at Northeastern.
I also support the Illinois Trust Act, which Governor Rauner signed into law on Monday. This measure prevents law enforcement officials in Illinois from detaining people based solely on their immigration status. It also limits their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
To all our students who are concerned about their immigration status, please bring your concerns and questions to me, Director Moreno, or any other Northeastern faculty and staff member. We are a nation of immigrants, and Northeastern will continue to be a safe place for immigrants who want access to a high-quality education regardless of their status.
We strongly encourage the White House and all federal lawmakers to support the DACA program and acknowledge the value and contributions our undocumented students bring to Northeastern, our communities, our state and our nation.
--
Suleyma Perez, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Government Relations
FROM: Richard J. Helldobler, Interim President
DATE: August 31, 2017
RE: Solidarity with our DACA students
The White House administration is considering ending an Obama-era federal program that provides temporary protection for some of our undocumented students from deportation. A group of Republican state attorneys general have threatened to sue if the DACA program continues past their Sept. 5 deadline.
A discontinuation of this important program is unacceptable.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows about 800,000 people -- whose undocumented status is no fault of their own -- to get a work permit, a driver's license or pursue higher education at universities like Northeastern that welcome them.
To the 289 undocumented students who are currently enrolled at Northeastern, I have this to say: We have your back.
We always have, and we have services and people in place to provide you support. Northeastern's Director of Undocumented Student Resources, Luvia Moreno, is an excellent point person, and she can assist you as can the hundreds of Undocumented Student Allies who stand at your side here at Northeastern. I support you and your efforts to further your education at Northeastern.
I also support the Illinois Trust Act, which Governor Rauner signed into law on Monday. This measure prevents law enforcement officials in Illinois from detaining people based solely on their immigration status. It also limits their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
To all our students who are concerned about their immigration status, please bring your concerns and questions to me, Director Moreno, or any other Northeastern faculty and staff member. We are a nation of immigrants, and Northeastern will continue to be a safe place for immigrants who want access to a high-quality education regardless of their status.
We strongly encourage the White House and all federal lawmakers to support the DACA program and acknowledge the value and contributions our undocumented students bring to Northeastern, our communities, our state and our nation.
--
Suleyma Perez, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Government Relations
