The University of Colorado supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program several times in 2021. Nationwide, there are more than 427,000 undocumented immigrants enrolled at institutions of higher education, including more than 15,000 DACA recipients and even more Dreamers in Colorado. The Southern District of Texas ruled that the DACA program was unlawful because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) overstepped its executive authority in creating the program via memorandum in 2012. The ruling blocked new DACA applicants, but allowed DACA renewals to continue nationwide. Since the July 2021 ruling, DHS has issued new proposed rules for the program to codify DACA into formal federal policy and enshrine its legitimacy in the face of future legal challenges. In essence, the new proposed rule is a continuation of current DACA policy with the main distinction being that applicants would be able to request deferred action without simultaneously requesting work authorization. DHS solicited comments on the rule from community stakeholders and received more than 16,000 responses, including a letter of support for the regulations from CU President Todd Saliman.  

CU’s national association partners, led by the American Council on Education (ACE), also provided supportive comments. The national associations expressed concern with the decoupling of deferred action and work authorization. Given many graduates of institutions of higher education who are DACA recipients seek to enter the workforce following their graduation, this separation could potentially be problematic. Conversely, the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, of which CU is a member, applauded the change since making work authorization optional makes it possible to protect recipients from deportation, even if the courts rule against work permits as part of ongoing or future litigation. CU’s comments can be read here and ACE’s comments can be read here . 

CU President Todd Saliman, CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano, CU Anschutz Medical Campus Chancellor Don Elliman, CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks, and UCCS Chancellor Venkat Reddy joined leaders from institutions of higher education across Colorado in sending a letter on July 27 to the Colorado congressional delegation, urging their swift action to protect and support DACA recipients and Dreamers. President Saliman also joined over 400 CEOs, university presidents, and civic leaders in signing a letter in support of the DACA program and calling for congressional action on July 19. Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) were urged to immediately pass the bipartisan Dream Act of 2021 (S.264). See the full list of signatories here. CU’s Federal Team also shared the letter with Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and urged them to work with their colleagues to pass a permanent legislative solution that protects and supports Dreamers who work and study on CU’s four campuses.

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