Chico State Strongly Supports Supreme Court’s DACA Decision

Today I applaud the decision by the US Supreme Court to reject the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. 

The decision represents another spark of hope in a difficult and troubling time, and I am grateful for the court’s acknowledgment that ending the program without consideration for the impact on those who had come to rely on it was misguided and would cause undue hardship. The program has provided an opportunity for many Dreamers to complete their education, build their careers, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. 

Chico State has supported DACA from its start as part of our public mission to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning and working environment for all. Created in 2012, DACA has provided roughly 700,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children and young adults with the ability to work and be protected from deportation. With DACA, immigrant youth have been able to better support themselves and their families financially, and more readily access higher education. The Pew Research Center estimates that more than half of DACA recipients are college students, and Chico State estimates that there are potentially hundreds of DACA recipients studying or working at the University.

As we analyze the ruling, we will provide additional information as it becomes available. Resources can be found on the University’s Dream Center website. 

With commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Chico State is proud to support DACA recipients, who are American in every way, as they’ve built their lives in this country and contribute greatly to our campus, community, and economy. 

Gayle E. Hutchinson, Ed.D., President, CSU, Chico

While we join in celebrating today’s ruling, we also recognize the road to this DACA decision has been difficult and stressful for many for a very long time. We encourage students to reach out to the WellCat Counseling Center for support services, including a 24/7 phone number to speak to a counselor immediately (call 530-898-6345 and press 2). Faculty and staff have a number of resources available through the Employee Assistance Program, including emotional support and counseling.