A Statement on DACA
SCU President Michael E. Engh, S.J., addresses recent news about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Dear Members of the University Community,
The Trump administration has called on Congress to draft legislation within six months to address the status of “Dreamers” who had registered under the soon-to-be-eliminated executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I believe that we as citizens should reflect deeply on this issue, form our opinions thoughtfully, and express our views to our elected representatives. As a priest and president of a Jesuit University, I stand behind our commitment to all students, regardless of the journey they have taken to join us at Santa Clara University.
With approximately 800,000 young people directly involved, we must remember that they are outstanding students, veterans of our military, leaders in our communities, gainfully employed residents, and alumni of this university. We are a better nation because of them, and they are part of our American—and Bronco—families.
I shall work to support DACA students at Santa Clara during this period of stressful uncertainty. I join with our fellow Jesuit colleges and universities to provide a safe environment for our DACA students to continue their pursuit of higher education. Recalling the Biblical injunction, I believe that we should not “wrong or oppress the resident alien,” women and men cherished by God (Exodus 22.21). We must never ignore our calling to be men and women for others, but work for just solutions for complex issues.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President