Miami, Aug. 29, 2017 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Wolfson Campus will be the site Wednesday, Aug. 30, where dozens of education, elected, advocacy, community, faith, business and civic leaders convene to voice their unified support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the status of the DACA program. Greater Miami leaders worry the program established in 2012, that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit, will end, leaving countless students with uncertain futures.
Confirmed for the news conference are academic leaders from Miami Dade College, Florida International University, the University of Miami, St. Thomas University and Barry University, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Executive Director and Co-founder of American Immigrants for Justice, Cheryl Little; Miami-Dade Beacon Council Chair, Jaret L. Davis; Greater Miami Chamber Chair-elect, Carlos Orta; leaders of the faith community, and other business and civic leaders.
Today, 800,000 DREAMers across America have emerged from the shadows and are contributing to the U.S., attending college, serving in the military and beginning careers in all sectors. Those with DACA status are furthering their lives at no cost to taxpayers and receive no federal benefits – neither Pell Grants nor student loans nor healthcare coverage, and no pathway to citizenship or a green card. They are law-abiding and, at MDC and institutions like it, are among the best and most dedicated students. The U.S. is the only home they know and, like immigrants before them who founded our nation, are positively contributing to the tapestry of America.
WHAT: News Conference with Greater Miami’s Leaders in Support of DACA
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: MDC’s Wolfson Campus, Room 2106
300 N.E. Second Avenue