CU leadership issues statement on recent DACA decision

On Oct. 5, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal judge’s 2021 ruling that the original Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful. In response, leadership at the University of Colorado – President Todd Saliman and campus Chancellors Philip DiStefano, CU Boulder; Don Elliman, CU Anschutz Medical Campus; Michelle Marks, CU Denver; and Venkat Reddy, UCCS – this week issued a statement:

“We are deeply disappointed in last week’s Fifth Circuit Court decision that deemed the DACA program unlawful. While the decision continues to provide temporary relief for current DACA recipients as the case was sent back to a lower court for further review, new applications are not allowed, and this will impact our state. It is critical that all eligible DACA recipients renew as soon as possible.

“CU’s position on DACA remains clear and consistent: Congress needs to act to find a permanent solution and pathway to citizenship. We remain steadfast in our support of CU’s Dreamers who study and work across our four campuses and in our communities. DACA recipients are engaged contributors in their classrooms and careers, and they strengthen the fabric of our campuses, our local communities and the state of Colorado. We will continue to strongly advocate for a permanent solution with both our Colorado congressional delegation and through our involvement with the President’s Alliance of Higher Education and Immigration until Congress gets it done.”