Regis University celebrates DACA ruling

Dear colleagues and students,
 
I am relieved and delighted by today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. We can rest a little easier knowing that more than 700,000 young immigrants — some of whom are former and current students of Regis University — will continue to have legal protection from deportation to countries where they’ve never lived. For many Dreamers, the United States is the only home they’ve ever known. And we are their family.
 
For the past eight years, the DACA program also has allowed people who were brought into the United States as children a means to attend colleges and to work in this country. And now our Dreamers may continue to do so without fear of reprisal.
 
During a time of much upheaval and uncertainty — when Black voices are finally being heard and important internal and systemic changes getting made, and as the coronavirus pandemic continues — I am grateful the Supreme Court saw fit to reject the current administration’s argument that DACA was illegal.
 
Regis has educated many Dreamers since DACA was instituted in 2012. I personally have known many of our DACA students who are now Regis alumni. These are our hardworking students. Our esteemed colleagues. Our warm and caring friends. Our helping neighbors.

We need our Dreamers right now more than ever.

As a Jesuit Catholic community that believes in the dignity of all people, no matter where they are born, Regis University’s values lead us to stand in solidarity with all Dreamers. Our community stands with all immigrants.

Furthermore, we will never end our vigilance to promote humane, comprehensive, national immigration reform. Today’s ruling gives us the hope — and the time — to help our dream for our Dreamers to become a reality.
 
As God does not abandon his people, neither will we abandon our immigrant community. As I have said before, God's people are our people. We stand with DACA students and the entire immigrant community.
 
The future of DACA has not yet been written. Let us help author a better tomorrow for the Dreamers and for our entire nation. 

Gratefully,

Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
President