June 18, 2020

HACU statement on the Supreme Court ruling regarding the DACA program

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s opinion regarding President Trump’s 2017 order to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court reached a 5-4 decision on theDepartment of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California case, affirming the lower courts’ decision that the Trump administration failed to properly rationalize rescission of the DACA program as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.

“HACU is pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to preserve the DACA program for now,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “This decision restores hope to the more than 700,000 DACA recipients. During a time when COVID-19 is already causing tremendous upheaval and an economic recession, this decision, although not a permanent solution, provides a much needed sense of hope and optimism.”

Today’s 539 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the nation play a key role in educating a significant number of DACA recipients and DREAMers, since many HSIs are located in communities with significant populations of undocumented youth and are well situated to provide them with postsecondary opportunities.

In terms of economic impact, it is estimated that DACA recipients will produce over $460 billion in economic contributions over the next decade. HACU reaffirms its commitment to undocumented students and asks Congress to act immediately to provide a permanent and comprehensive solution that includes allowing DACA recipients and DREAMers to continue contributing to our nation’s economy and communities.

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HACU Media Contact:

Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
210-576-3206
njgarcia@hacu.net

Christopher de Hoyos
Assistant Director of Communications and Social Media
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
210-576-3242
chris.dehoyos@hacu.net