Dear Campus Community,
As you have likely heard, today President Donald Trump is rescinding the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that was enacted in 2012 and has protected 800,000 young adult unauthorized immigrants from deportation and allowed them to work legally while pursuing their education.
This action directly impacts nearly 600 UC Merced students who may not be able to continue their education here when their two-year visas expire. My heart goes out to these students, who have earned the opportunity to work and study here and who do not deserve the threat they now face.
Bipartisan groups across the country are urging a legislative solution — laws enacted by Congress that would once again extend DACA protections to students who grew up here and call this country home. Now is the time for action on behalf of the many wonderful members of our university community affected by today’s development.
We as a campus will continue to ensure that our undocumented students receive the support, services and educational experience they need, and we will do so with care and compassion for them and their families.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Leland
Chancellor
