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Sarah Lawrence College President Cristle Collins Judd, alongside more than 500 college and university presidents, released the below statement in support of the recently introduced bipartisan Dream Act of 2021 that would provide relief for roughly 1.7 million Dreamers. Sarah Lawrence College continues to call on Congress to solidify protections for DACA program participants and Dreamers, to provide a path to citizenship for these individuals, and to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
COALITION OF UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS’ STATEMENT ON INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN DREAM ACT OF 2021
Legislation would provide relief to upwards to 1.7 million Dreamers
Washington, D.C.—Today, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, comprised of over 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, released the following statement in response to the introduction of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2021 by Senators Graham (R-SC) and Durbin (D-IL).
Jose Magaña-Salgado, Director of Policy and Communications for the Presidents’ Alliance and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, stated: “Today’s bipartisan introduction of the Dream Act of 2021 represents a first step for Congress to, at long last, establish a robust, fair, and accessible roadmap to citizenship for long-time immigrants, such as myself, that consider this country the only home they’ve ever known. Permanent status is absolutely critical for us to fully use our undergraduate and graduate degrees in our chosen career fields and to open up an abundance of additional career opportunities.
“Equally as critical, however, is that this roadmap to citizenship must include Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients, including staff, faculty, students, and their families, who are part of our campus communities. We call upon Senators Graham and Durbin to ensure these valued immigrants are not excluded. We look forward to working with these offices in committee, on the Senate floor, and in conference to ensure the inclusion of TPS and DED holders.
“The last four years have been a time of tremendous adversity for the immigrant community, particularly in light of the multiple attempts to terminate DACA. The Dream Act of 2021 represents the first step to restore certainty into the lives of young adults, students, and other aspiring Americans who want nothing more to be an integral part of the fabric of this country. We urge the Senate to move forward as expeditiously as possible.”
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The non-partisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to advance just immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus level that are consistent with our heritage as a “nation of immigrants” and the academic values of equity and openness. The Alliance is composed of over 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.