September 7, 2017
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration will rescind the 2012 Deferred Act for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a program which has allowed individuals who entered the U.S. as children to work and live here. Unless new legislation is passed by March 2018, approximately 800,000 people who were raised in the U.S., the students and workers called Dreamers, may be deported.
This is in direct conflict with Bryn Mawr’s commitment to access and inclusion for higher education of the highest quality. We affirm our commitment to welcome applicants and support students of all nationalities, regardless of their citizenship status. Bryn Mawr has benefitted in countless ways from the Dreamers on our own campus, and we would be a lesser place without them.
Our practices remain clear. We will not release information about students’ citizenship or immigration status unless presented with a subpoena or similar legal requirement. Campus Safety will not be involved with enforcing federal immigration laws, including Green Card and visa issues, nor will they inquire about or record a student’s immigration status when interacting with students. Law enforcement officials seeking to come on campus are expected to check in first with Campus Safety and present a warrant or other enforceable legal instrument. We will continue to admit and meet full, demonstrated financial need for students without regard for their nationality or immigration status. We continue to do everything within the law to protect every member of our community. These practices are described in full on Bryn Mawr’s Immigration Policy page.
The Dean’s Office is reaching out to students who have said that they may be affected by this announcement. We encourage all members of our community to be mindful of others who may need support, and we encourage community members to make use of the many resources available across the College. Our staff members treat all discussions about immigration status as confidential; I ask that all members of our community do the same. Students and community members with concerns for themselves or those they love can also find contacts for both internal and external resources on our Immigration Policy page.
The protections afforded by DACA can be continued if they are codified by Congress in the next six months. I am encouraged by the fact that there is widespread bipartisan support for DACA, but the process of finding a solution may be difficult and time is limited. As Congress works to pass legislative protections for Dreamers before the March deadline, I will continue on behalf of the College to argue strenuously in support of undocumented students and their rights. For students and other community members who wish to take an active role in this bipartisan effort, I encourage you to look to opportunities offered by our Civic Engagement Office and to call on your elected officials and urge them to take action.
I thank all those who have connected with one another during this challenging time. This is a moment for us to live up to the values to which we aspire as a community. I know that what we do here will make a difference to each other and for the world.
Sincerely yours,
Kim Cassidy
President
U.S. Immigration Policy Information
