Mantella among authors of letter to Congress urging permanent protection for DACA students

President Philomena V. Mantella and other university presidents sent a letter to Congress November 28, urging them to pass bipartisan legislation before the end of the year to protect DACA recipients and Dreamers. 

Mantella is part of the steering committee for the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization that united college and university presidents around the immigration issues that impact students and campuses. 

The letter read, in part: “As higher education leaders, we see Dreamers’ immense contributions to our campuses and communities. Many of them have gone on to become highly valued employees, homeowners, military members, faith leaders, and founders of thriving businesses. They inspire us by what they have overcome and the promise they hold to make our communities and nation stronger. These individuals — Americans in every sense but on paper — seek only what we want for all our children: the opportunity to pursue their studies, work in our communities, and meaningfully contribute to our country.” 

The full letter is linked in this Presidents' Alliance article. 

Grand Valley has a website dedicated to resources for DACA and undocumented students.