Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy that provides a form of administrative relief from deportation. It protects eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. It allows them the opportunity to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.

While we have fewer than ten DACA students at Missouri State University, the decision by the current administration to end the DACA Program has the potential to drastically change their lives. In the days and weeks to come, we will work with our DACA students to ensure they have all of the information they need to plan accordingly.

Our first priority for DACA students is that they feel safe, they are heard and their studies are not disrupted by external concerns. We remain committed to supporting all of our students, including our DACA students, to the extent that federal and state laws permit. Thomas Lane, our dean of students, will serve as lead contact for any Missouri State student who has questions about how the policy change affects their status.

Additionally, we will be interacting with members of our congressional delegation to urge them to pass legislation to resolve this situation. Websites containing contact information for Senators McCaskill and Blunt as well as Congressman Long are linked below if you would like to share your views with them:

• Contact Senator Blunt
• Contact Senator McCaskill
• Contact Congressman Long