Society / Justice and Law

Seattle University Signs Amicus Brief in Support of DACA Recipients

October 8, 2019

Seattle University has joined 165 colleges and universities from across the country in signing an amicus brief supporting the young immigrants who came to the United States as children and who hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Seattle University has joined more than 164 colleges and universities from across the country in signing an amicus brief supporting the young immigrants who came to the United States as children and who hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

This “friend of the court” brief was coordinated by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, of which Seattle U is a member.

Two years ago the Trump administration rescinded DACA, an initiative that provides work permits and protection from deportation for upwards of 700,000 undocumented students, often known as “Dreamers.” Oral arguments on this rescission will be held at the Supreme Court on Nov. 12. The Court could hand down a ruling as early as February 2020, which will determine whether DACA recipients will lose the ability to live, study and work in the United States.

“We stand in solidarity with DACA recipients,” says Seattle U President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. “Dreamers make many positive contributions to our country and are valued members of campuses and communities across the nation, including our Seattle University community. We believe it is vital to protect this vulnerable population when their futures are in question.”

President Sundborg and Seattle U have consistently supported continued protection for DACA recipients. This includes signing onto statements by the Independent Colleges of Washington, Ignatian Solidarity Network and Jesuits and the American Council on Education through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

“Each of these letters, along with the previous ones I signed onto, has had my full and unequivocal support,” Father Sundborg says. “Seattle U will continue to advocate on behalf of our students and alumni who are affected by the administration’s 2017 decision to rescind DACA and not let it affect the ways in which we have long supported Dreamers, including with financial aid.”