University of Arizona President Dr. Robert C. Robbins released a statement today regarding the Supreme Court’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ruling. 

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in support of allowing DACA students to remain safe from deportation, according to NPR. 

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“We are proud of our DACA students, who are an important part of the University community,” Robbins said in the statement. “The university is pleased the Supreme Court’s decision will allow our DACA students to continue pursuing their academic goals with more predictability related to their status.” 

NPR reported the DACA program started in 2012 to protect eligible individuals who were brought to the United States illegally as children from deportation. DACA recipients, also known as DREAMers, are eligible to work and apply for college loans.

Back in 2017, President Donald Trump ordered the immediate end to the program created under President Barack Obama’s administration, stating he was concerned for “millions of Americans victimized by this unfair system.” The decision was blocked by lower courts and eventually appealed to the Supreme Court. 

“We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,” said Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion. 

The Migration Policy Institute reported there are currently over 600,000 DACA recipients nationwide as of March 2020 with Arizona having almost 24,000 recipients.  

“We will continue to provide resources through the Immigrant Student Resource Center and continue to support them as they pursue their hope and dreams,” Robbins said. “We join the Arizona Board of Regents in urging a permanent legislative solution that will provide certainty for DACA students.”

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