By Kyeland Jackson —
U of L administrators and the Student Government Administration rejected President Donald Trump’s plan to rescind Deffered Action for Childhood Arrivals program
In a statement, U of L’s Interim President Greg Postel said he was concerned rescinding the policy would harm university students and their families.
“We want you to know that we cherish every member of our campus community, and we will explore ways to ensure that a U of L education is accessible to all,” Postel’s statment said. “As our diversity slogan clearly states, ‘You Belong.'”
SGA President Vishnu Tirumala agrees. Tirumala issued a statement Tuesday condemning Trump’s order, saying those affected by DACA are “invaluable members of our academic and campus communities.”
“I feel like this still impacts a lot of people, even if they don’t know,” Tirumala said after an SGA meeting Tuesday. “When I came to the university I didn’t know any undocumented students, but sometimes they’re there when you don’t even know them. And that impacts all of us because those people contribute to our community and our society.”
DACA extends work permits and some protections to immigrants brought to the U.S. under the age of 16. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data said nearly 790,000 unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. were recently protected from deportation by DACA. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said DACA would be rescinded, if congress approves, in months.
Tirumala and Postel pointed to university resources, such as the university counseling center, the cultural center and the undocumented student resource council to help those who may be affected. The Engage Lead Serve Board will also offer an informational meeting about the topic Thursday at noon in the cultural center’s multipurpose room. The event is open for students to attend.
The full SGA statement is below:
File Photo / The Louisville Cardinal
