The University of Colorado system has听signed an amicus brief听urging听the听U.S. Supreme Court听to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)听immigration听policy.听
CU is among 165 public and private universities and colleges from 32 states and the District of Columbia that听united听in support of DACA听ahead of听a听Nov. 12 hearing, when justices听will听hear听oral arguments on a series of consolidated cases and determine whether the administration鈥檚 Sept. 5, 2017,听听was lawful.听
By some estimates, there are nearly 800,000 DACA recipients in the United States, and many are students on college campuses across the country.听The executive immigration policy allows recipients to remain in the country to work and study until the government provides them with a permanent path to citizenship.听
The nation鈥檚 highest听court听is expected to issue听a ruling听on DACA听in late June, but a decision could come as soon as early 2020.听
According to the听amicus brief, coordinated by the听nonpartisan听, DACA recipients have 鈥渃ontributed immeasurably to their campuses through academic achievements and co-curricular activities.鈥澨�
The brief also argues that the rescission of DACA would 鈥渟everely harm the life prospects of these students and alumni, adversely affect our nation鈥檚 higher education institutions, undermine the many years of investments that colleges and universities made to support DACA recipients, and sap our higher education communities of needed talent, diversity and leadership.鈥澨�
Last week, the听听(AAU), the听听(ACE) and the听听(APLU) joined 40 other higher education associations in a separate amicus brief.听
CU Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano and other CU leaders believe听it is time for听nation鈥檚 high court and congressional leaders听to take action on听DACA.听听
鈥淪ince its creation in 2012, thousands of young immigrants have been able to pursue their dreams on college campuses across the United States,鈥� DiStefano said. 鈥淲e are calling听on听our听nation鈥檚 elected and appointed听leaders听to consider听the plight of DACA beneficiaries听and to give them the chance they need to become full citizens of the country that provided them with a home and opportunities to succeed听in听K-12听schools听and higher education.鈥澨�
about CU Boulder support services for DACA registrants.听
