On 10/19/17, the American Council on Education sent a letter on behalf of 774 colleges and universities to congressional leaders urging them to pass legislation to protect Dreamers.
Representative Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
Room H-305, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Representative Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader
United States House of Representatives
Room H-204, The Capitol<
Washington, DC 20515
Senator Charles E. Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Room S-221, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Room S-230, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer:
On behalf of the undersigned colleges and universities, we urge you to take the action that President Trump requested when he rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, and pass a long-term legislative fix as soon as possible to protect Dreamers, outstanding young people brought to our country as children.
There is widespread support among your constituents and across the country on the need to protect these individuals. A Sept. 24-26 Fox News poll found that 62 percent of Americans say it is extremely or very important for Congress to pass legislation to address the Dreamers. A Sept. 18-21 Washington Post-ABC News poll found that more than two-thirds of adults—69 percent—support allowing these individuals to stay in the United States if they had arrived as a child, had completed high school or served in the military and had not committed a serious crime.
Colleges and universities have seen these remarkable people up close, in our classrooms and as our colleagues and friends. Despite the challenges they face, they have made incredible contributions to our country and its economy and security. They should continue to be able to do so. If we are unable to protect these Dreamers, we will be shutting the door to an entire generation of individuals who seek to contribute their best to America.
Our letter echoes the request made in the Sept. 20 letter from over 800 business and industry leaders in asking that Congress provide Dreamers with the permanent legislative solution that they deserve. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also supports this request. Children brought to the United States at a young age did not have a choice in the matter and are today Americans in every way but immigration status. It remains in America’s best interest to enable them to use their knowledge, skills and energy to continue to make the strongest possible contribution to our country.
We stand ready to work with Congress in a bipartisan manner to address this issue as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Abilene Christian University
Many higher education organizations assisted in compiling this letter. The effort was coordinated by ACE on behalf of the Protect Dreamers Higher Education Coalition, which is made up of major higher education associations representing a broad range of institutions and groups at U.S. colleges and universities.
Source: AILA Doc. No. 17112733.
