U.S. Supreme Court ruling on DACA program
June 18, 2020 2:42 PM

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Earlier you received a message from President Killeen about today’s United States Supreme Court decision that will allow the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients to continue to renew membership in the program that offers them work authorization and temporary protection from deportation. We are most vibrant as a nation when we welcome and support the most vulnerable among us to excel in their academic, creative and professional endeavors. Equity and inclusion are essential to our well-being as a society so that every one of us has an opportunity to pursue our dreams and transform our lives and the lives of others. Today’s decision affirms those values.

In the past few months, we have become acutely aware of how interconnected each of us is, and of the renewed imperative that actions align with what we stand for. We must act in ways that protect the most marginalized among us, dismantle systems that exclude and oppress, and as a university we must fight fiercely to protect the dreams and humanity of each and every one of us. The success of our university rests firmly on the principle of inviting the best and brightest into our community and supporting their capacity to thrive. The skills, imagination and determination that DACA recipients bring to our community represents the best of who we are as university. We vigorously advocate for actions, laws and policies that protect and advance that principle. The University of Illinois is committed to providing an accessible, world-class education for qualified and deserving students in the State of Illinois and beyond.

Our university will continue to provide access to financial support for DACA and undocumented students at both the university and state levels, and we will continue to protect confidential student and employee information to the fullest extent of the law. Consistent with its long-standing policy, the University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) will not ask anyone about their immigration status, and UIPD does not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status.

Additional information about campus policies and resources related to DACA and members of our community who are undocumented can be found at https://open.illinois.edu.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor

Barry Benson
Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Andreas C. Cangellaris
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

Sean C. Garrick
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Susan A. Martinis
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Danita M. B. Young
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs