The University of Missouri System released a statement on Tuesday regarding the possible end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program or DACA.
This came after the Trump administration’s earlier announcement that they would be ending the program, which allows people who entered the US as children to live, work and study.
According to the statement, the system will work with the more than 35 students in the UM System that are DACA recipients to help them through this “time of uncertainty.”
Statement from #Mizzou on today's DACA announcement: pic.twitter.com/rXBT3QBuvn
— Nathan Lawrence 🌈 (@NathanBLawrence) September 5, 2017
“Many have persevered to attend college to better themselves and contribute to American society,” UM System President Mun Choi said in the statement. “For these reasons, we request a fair and compassionate solution.”
Other local organizations, such as the ACLU of Missouri, are taking action to help those impacted by this change.
Jeffrey Mittman is the executive director for the ACLU of Missouri, and he said more than 3,500 Missouri residents will be impacted if the program is shut down.
“These are young people who are doing everything right, and then they're told, ‘Oh, never mind. Go back to a country you don't know, that you never lived in, that you have no connections to,” Mittman said. “Your sacrifices and your willingness to contribute are going to be ignored and thrown in your face.’”
Congress now has six months to either save the program or come up with a permanent replacement.