Dear Marquette community,
A recent federal court ruling has placed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in jeopardy once again. With DACA’s future in question, we are writing today to assert Marquette University’s unwavering support for Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children — many of whom are members of our Marquette family.
As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, we stand by the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching and the writings of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and it is our position that access to a Marquette education will never be conditioned upon legal immigration status. We also support a pathway for Dreamers to legalize their immigration status and urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which has broad bipartisan and popular support.
It is disheartening that Congress’ inability to agree on a permanent legislative fix for DACA has resulted in Dreamers and their families continuing to grapple with life-altering uncertainty. If you are struggling, know that we have support systems in place to help you. Students who have immigration-related needs or questions can reach out to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion or the Dreamers Support Committee. Additional resources, including links to academic, mental health and legal support services, can be found here. The Marquette Counseling Center is also a free resource to students.
Marquette is proud of our Dreamers who have exhibited resilience and hope amid these challenging circumstances. As an institution, we remain committed to supporting you and your personal development throughout your educational journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Navia
Vice president for inclusive excellence
Jacki Black
Director of Hispanic initiatives and diversity and inclusion educational programming
Chair, Dreamers Support Committee
