The following is a statement from Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman applauding the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program:
While we are heartened by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Department of Homeland Security et al. v. Regents of the University of California et al., DACA recipients’ fate cannot remain up to executive action. The fact that this decision was based on procedural mistakes by the Trump administration rather than Equal Protection Clause violations only underscores the importance of Congress immediately and unequivocally addressing the unjust plight of DACA recipients and other “Dreamers” with a permanent legislative solution.
While AAU supported the arguments in defense of DACA and filed an amicus brief in the case, we have always asserted that Congress should resolve this matter by passing legislation to normalize the status of these deserving young people. The DACA program was never meant to be permanent, and DACA students at our universities – who are American in every way – deserve a solution that takes their fate out of the hands of shifting Executive Branch priorities and gives them and their communities certainty.
We congratulate the University of California and Princeton University, whose lawsuit on behalf of DACA recipients was consolidated with the California suit, on this important win for our students.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.