By Mike Fissinger
Brian Reardon, FCRH ’18, president of United Student Government (USG), co-signed a statement alongside all the student body presidents from the 28 Jesuit universities in the United States pledging support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“The student body Presidents of the twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States publicly stand in solidarity with our undocumented students and their allies,” said the statement. “Rooted in the Jesuit traditions, our students are called to engage in the discourse and advocate for a more just and equitable world.”
The statement went on to list actions that can be taken by the 28 Jesuit universities. The actions include, but are not limited to, contacting representatives for more systemic change, increasing education about DACA on Jesuit campuses and publicizing resources available to students affected by this decision.
Fordham University, affiliated clubs, and a coalition of Jesuit universities criticized the Trump administration’s Sept. 5 decision to rescind the DACA program, issuing statements and holding events to combat the decision.
Furthermore, the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) announced the launch of Dream Action Week, during which the Jesuit universities and colleges will encourage their campus communities to advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act, according to ISN’s statement. Dream Action Week is set to take place October 9th-13th.
Events at Fordham University aimed at combating the decision included a phone bank at Fordham College at Rose Hill hosted by the USG and a phone bank at Lincoln Center hosted by the Black Student Alliance, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice, according to assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion Juan Matos of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“I think it’s important for members of the Fordham community to reflect on the experiences of individuals from marginalized groups,” said Dean Matos. “This is the best way to increase empathy for those experiences.”
Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, issued the university’s first statement, highlighting the school’s Ignatian heritage and commitment to marginalized communities.
“I believe rescinding DACA is not only foolish, but unfathomably cruel,” said McShane in the statement. “Fordham has always been a home for immigrants, in a city of immigrants. We will remain true to our roots, and to the Jesuit, Catholic spirit that guides us.”
In a university statement issued on Sept. 27th, McShane highlighted the resources available to DACA recipients. He noted Fordham Law School’s Feerick Center for Social Justice at the Lincoln Center campus as one such source, according to the statement.
He echoed his support for the DREAMers, saying, “We will continue to support those in our community affected by the phase-out of the DACA program.”
The decision by the Trump administration prevents any previously eligible applicants from applying, and mandates that work permits that would expire before March 5th, 2018, be renewed by Oct. 5th, 2017, according to United We Dream.
President Barack Obama implemented DACA in Nov. 2014. The program enables undocumented immigrants who entered the country before the age of 16 and have lived in the country for four years to apply for a three-year work permit, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
