Statement from HACU on SCOTUS Immigration Decision
June 24, 2016
San Antonio, TX - The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) expressed its profound disappointment at yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that leaves in place an injunction staying the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the 2014 expansion of the Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). While we understand that this 4-4 split decision does not affect the original 2012 DACA program, the failure to allow the expansion of the program and its extension to family members of DACA recipients leaves millions of hard-working residents critical to the U.S. economy in limbo.
HACU has long championed comprehensive immigration reform, particularly the DREAM Act, which would open a pathway to legal status and eventual citizenship to young people brought to the U.S. as children and already successful as graduates of U.S. elementary and secondary schools. Congress has been unable for a decade and a half to pass this common sense fix to one part of the broken immigration system. President Obama’s 2012 DACA offered at least some administrative relief for these students and the 2014 extensions still on hold would have allowed some further assurance that family structures would be preserved and economic contributions would be acknowledged. In the present political climate, the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday will postpone any further fix at least until after the November elections.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. Founded in 1986, HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The association headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California.This year HACU is celebrating 30 years of championing Hispanic education. Information is available at www.hacu.net.