Supreme Court ruling welcome news for Dreamers and a win for our nation

Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling blocking the administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is welcome news for more than 700,000 young people nationwide who are participating in the program to create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities. It’s also a win for our nation. The majority of justices recognized the importance of the rule of law as they struck down what Chief Justice John Roberts wrote was an “arbitrary and capricious” attempt to end DACA.

It is important to note that this ruling does not prevent this or a future administration from again attempting to end the program. Indeed, it once more emphasizes the need for congressional action to permanently secure Dreamers’ futures and end the limbo they have been living in for years. Polling shows there is wide support nationwide for federal legislation that would do just that. What’s needed is action. Our University is allied with leaders of organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to religious institutions in calling for swift congressional action to protect the Dreamers.

In the meantime, the UW will continue to support our undocumented students who, whether in the DACA program or not, are pursuing all of the dreams a college degree can help fulfill. Our nation is at its best when we live up to our promise to welcome immigrants and celebrate the strength and diversity that immigration has brought with it. The Dreamers are the embodiment of that vision and we support all efforts to let their dreams flourish.