Regarding the Supreme Court Decision to Uphold DACA

Dear Western Washington University Community,

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision that blocks the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  We applaud this decision, especially at a time when so many DACA recipients are performing essential work on the front lines of our nation’s fight against COVID-19.

Nearly 700,000 DACA recipients are facing the same economic and health vulnerabilities as the rest of the country.  This decision at least takes away the uncertainty of also having to face the threat of deportation.  We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary work that thousands of DACA recipients are doing in helping the country battle this public health crisis, and we stand by our undocumented students who are eager to complete their college education free of the fear of deportation.  We know that they and their families will contribute their expertise to the economic and social recovery efforts that will be required.

While this decision represents a critical win, we are gravely disappointed that the Trump administration, in a separate action, is barring most international students and all undocumented students from receiving emergency college grants approved by Congress as part of the $2 trillion coronavirus CARES Act rescue package.  For undocumented students facing financial hardship due to the virus, we encourage you to contact Dina Murphy in the Scholarship Center at 360-650-3471, and the Office of Student Life for help in accessing assistance from other university-supported funds. 

We know that the coronavirus is exacerbating societal inequities and creating a new level of vulnerability for marginalized communities.  For our undocumented students who were already dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety, this pandemic contributes an even greater level of uncertainty for themselves and their families.  We want to do all we can to support you during this challenging time.  Please visit https://www.wwu.edu/undocumented-students to find out about additional support services.

Let us take heart in this partial victory, and please join me as we redouble our efforts to press Congress to enact legislation that makes DACA protections permanent in the future.

With respect and gratitude,

Sabah Randhawa