UNE committed to educating young people in face of DACA announcement

University of New England President James Herbert, Ph.D., has signed the “Statement in Support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and our Undocumented Immigrant Students,” joining more than 660 other college and university presidents from across the country in voicing their support for the extension of DACA’s protections for students.  

In signing the statement of support, President Herbert affirmed UNE’s commitment to serving the needs of young people who seek to better their lives through hard work and education. Herbert is also encouraging members of Maine’s congressional delegation to act before DACA expires on March 5, 2018. He expressed his support for undocumented students working and studying in the U.S. under DACA’s provisions in a statement to the UNE Community.

“To any members of our community who may be personally affected by the pending revocation of this program, I would like to state unequivocally that ours is a welcoming community that values the lives of all members equally and endeavors to advocate on behalf of all individuals seeking a higher education.”

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the Trump administration has decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. Implemented in 2012, the program allows young people brought to the U.S. as children to continue studying and working in the country without facing the threat of deportation.

According to the announcement, the rescission of this program will occur after a six-month grace period during which Congress may act to extend DACA’s protections if it chooses. Failing the passage of such legislation, approximately 800,000 people – including nearly 100 living here in Maine – will face deportation to countries they have never known.