Statement by KIPP CEO Richard Barth – Trump Administration Decision to Repeal DACA
September 5, 2017 – I am disappointed and outraged by President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months.
While KIPP does not maintain information regarding immigration status about our students, we know from self-disclosure that many KIPP staff and alumni have applied for DACA protection.
Every step of the way, these KIPP ‘Dreamers’ have worked hard, distinguished themselves in school, and given back to their communities. Today’s decision causes immense anxiety among our Dreamers and our entire KIPP community that cares about all our children, no matter their country of origin.
While DACA’s future is now in peril, KIPP’s commitment – to all of our students and families– is stronger than ever. We are currently working to alleviate the harmful impact of the decision to end DACA on our students, staff and alumni. KIPP’s college counseling, preparation and financial aid support services will remain available to all KIPP students so they can continue their goal of graduating from college ready to join America’s workforce. We should and must do everything possible to make sure the hard-working young people covered under DACA have a path to citizenship because they contribute to our economy and make our communities better places to live.
With six months left, the time is NOW to put pressure on Congress to move forward to enact the bipartisan DREAM Act. It’s unconscionable that our nation could put the future of our Dreamers in jeopardy without working towards a permanent solution.