Some 500 Indiana colleges have vowed to uphold President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Established in 2012, the DACA allows for undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's license, enroll in schools, or apply for jobs while their papers are still under process. Many fear that this program could be abolished by President-elect Donald Trump when he assumes office in January 2017.
Indiana university presidents, however, recently signed a joint statement affirming their continued support for the DACA program. "This is both a moral imperative and a national necessity," the letter stated, as published in the Pomona College website.
The university leaders recognize undocumented students as active contributors who have done well in school and are "already part of our national community." They are also calling on other schools, as well as civic and business leaders, to uphold the DACA.
According to Indy Star, the joint statement has alleviated fears among undocumented students following President-elect Trump's strong statements during his campaign regarding immigrants and the abolishment of DACA. "It's definitely something that gives us a little bit of hope," 19-year-old Martinez Dominguez told the news outlet.
Thousands worry Trump will end DACA program for children putting their future in jeopardy: https://t.co/hRTtZZ0FAp
— WDTN (@WDTN) December 2, 2016
Yet the uncertainty remains, especially for thousands of students across the United States. Donald Trump remains vague about his plans on what to do with the young immigrants already contributing to America's economic and education system. But in a recent interview with Time, the president-elect seems to have had taken a step back and stated that he's "going to work something out."
An immigration lawyer said that Donald Trump's ambiguous stand about DACA could be dealt in two ways and none of it are about retention, according to Flat Hat News. The incoming president could implement immediate dissolution or he could provide for an expiration date.
Over 750,000 young immigrants have been granted DACA eligibility since the program started. What will happen to these students if Trump decides to go a different way?
