Students, faculty and administration gather for rally, pursue other events on campus related to immigration policy

Brandon Bell
News Editor

Members of the College community have continued to react to the news that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program may be ended early next year. Without new legislation from Congress, the program’s recipients would no longer be able to renew their status after March 5.

The Obama-era program allowed some people who had entered the United States as children without providing documentation to avoid prosecution and deportation. DACA status also allowed them to pursue higher education.

Wooster student Myra Lopez ’19 is one DACA recipient at The College of Wooster. She agreed to share her perspective in the hopes that it would help others understand the impact the decision on DACA would have on her life.

“The end of the DACA program is like a door being shut in my face. Just when I thought that I had an opportunity to succeed, to take my family out of the South Side of Chicago, where their life is at risk everyday, I’m stripped away from that opportunity,” Lopez said. “My whole life and career depended on the benefits of DACA and this is why I’m currently having a hard time accepting the fact that this is happening.”

She said that she hoped that the campus community would understand that DACA students on campus are not only fearful of being identified, but for their futures outside the College as well.

“The College needs to continue to provide safe spaces to not only DACA students but to any student who is being affected by immigration issues right now,” Lopez said. “There should also be more informational sessions that will not only educate the students but the professors as well.”

“We are humans. We’re not illegal aliens. Appreciate and be kind to anyone, because you don’t know how long they will be here,” Lopez said. “As sad as this situation may be, I don’t ask my fellow classmates to pity us but rather to stand with us.”

In the week since the announcement, students and College officials have taken actions in response to the DACA announcement. On Tuesday, many students gathered for a demonstration in front of Kauke in support of DACA and the program’s recipients.

After taking a group photo, the attendees marched to Lowry, where a variety of community members spoke. These speakers included Wooster students Monét Davis ’19, Sara Onitsuka ’18, Minerva Vidaurrazaga Serrano ’18 and Francisco Martinez ’19, along with Rev. Alex Serna-Wallender, the campus interfaith chaplain, and Jimmy Noriega, chair of the theatre department. All encouraged attendees to stand with undocumented immigrants and to maintain a welcoming community.

“You are human,” Davis said, addressing undocumented immigrants. “Do not ever be ashamed of wanting a better life or if your parents wanted a better life for you.”

The Dean of Students Office also hosted a dinner along with President Bolton and Shadra Smith, associate dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), for Wooster students with DACA status, informing them what the College was doing in relation to the uncertain future of the program and allowing them to break out into informal discussion groups about their concerns. Dean of Students Scott Brown said that the message they hoped to convey was one of reassurance and respect.

“‘There’s a lot of uncertainty, but […] we’ll figure out a way to keep you,’” Brown said, summing up the tone he intended to take with DACA students at the dinner.

Brown also discussed hosting an informational panel about the decision, immigration policy and what students’ rights would be.

The CDI has also responded to the issue on campus. In addition to being a resource to students with personal concerns, the CDI is planning to support campus organizations in hosting educational and advocacy events on immigration policy.

“We want our actions to be in accordance to student needs and desires and we want student advocates to initiate support as well,” said Jill Munro, the director of International Student Services.

According to Nate Addington, the director of civic and social responsibility, the CDI is also hoping to support civic action taken by students and faculty. As an example, Addington said that the center had supported the student demonstration on Tuesday by printing some of the signs that rally attendees carried.

“If individual students or student groups want support, the CDI is here for that in any way possible,” Addington said.

There is no estimate of the number of students attending Wooster under DACA status, but the number of people in the United States under the program is estimated to be 800,000. About 80 percent of these immigrants have a status that will expire after March 5, with the last renewal expiring in 2020.

President Trump, who originally announced DACA’s cancellation, has encouraged Congress to pass new legislation before the current law expires.