Statement from the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition on the Election of Donald Trump as President of the United States

The California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition was established with one shared value: all students deserve the opportunity to obtain an affordable college education in their pursuit of the American dream, whether documented or not. Today, the Coalition recognizes the impact that the election of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States may have on our communities given the harmful rhetoric espoused during the presidential election cycle against immigrant communities and the president-elect’s role in the dismantling of DACA, mass family separations and deportations, and the Muslim ban when he served as the 45th president of the United States. As a coalition of organizations committed to advocating for the rights, dignity, and success of American undocumented students and their families, we remain steadfast in our conviction that immigrants are essential to California and the nation. This moment calls us to unify around our core values of respect, opportunity, and equality for all. 

The immigrant story is America’s story. Immigrants are the backbone of our communities and essential contributors to our economy and culture. They bring talent, resilience, and an invaluable work ethic to every sector of our society. The contributions of immigrants make our schools stronger, our cities more vibrant, and our economy more resilient. We must honor their historic and essential role in our society and protect their rights to pursue opportunity and prosperity.

Fear-driven rhetoric threatens to divide our country and undermine its founding principles. Immigrants are students, teachers, workers, and community members who believe in the promise of America. We call on President Trump and his Administration to end harmful rhetoric against immigrant communities that instills fear, heightens safety concerns, and creates divisions among Americans. Our American undocumented students and their families are here to learn, to work, and to make positive contributions to society and they deserve respect, fairness, and security in their pursuit of education and opportunity. 

American undocumented students, also known as Dreamers, have spent their lives in this country, contributing to their communities and dreaming of a brighter future. They deserve a clear and accessible pathway to citizenship. We urge the incoming Administration and Congress to pass legislation that provides Dreamers with permanent protection and citizenship, allowing them to fully contribute to the nation they call home.

For thousands of Dreamers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has been a lifeline, providing both work authorization and protection from deportation. For employers, DACA has been a source of talent and productivity. We call on the President to work to reinstate DACA and expand its protections for Dreamers. This program is essential for the security, stability, and academic success of thousands of students and our economy, and we urge the new Administration to prioritize its restoration and expansion.

To all undocumented Americans who make our country great, we stand with you, we will keep fighting for you, and we will keep fighting for a more perfect union.  We will oppose policies and actions that unlawfully separate families, deport rightful residents, or undermine the rights of undocumented American students and their families. And, we will work with our state leaders to find solutions that protect the safety, rights, and well-being of American undocumented students and their families. Now, more than ever, we urge all Californians and Americans to join us in building a future where all American students, regardless of immigration status, can thrive and contribute to a more just, united nation.

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The California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition was established in 2016 as a response to national uncertainty and an adverse climate facing undocumented students. Since then, the coalition has advocated and secured historic policy reforms that support the expansion of college opportunity for undocumented students. The coalition, comprised of educators, civil rights, business, philanthropy, students, and community-based groups, works to strengthen California’s workforce and economy by ensuring college access, affordability, and success for undocumented individuals in the state.