December 9, 2016

Dear Members of the Drexel Community:

In an effort to support and reassure Drexel University undergraduate and graduate students who are covered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and our undocumented students concerned about their status, I have joined more than 450 college and university presidents in signing a statement in support of DACA.

Our international students who are also concerned about their immigration status are not subject to the rules and regulations provided for in DACA, and therefore, can rest assured that they can continue their education at Drexel without interruption.

As the statement reads, in part, it is my hope that DACA is “upheld, continued, and expanded” — even with the coming change of administration in Washington. On our campus, we have seen how students who come to us under DACA have made meaningful contributions to Drexel, while they develop their own talents and, through their efforts, improve this country — which, after all, is their home.

DACA is a sensible, humane and helpful program, and Drexel fully supports it. Moreover, if DACA is suspended or repealed, the University will support our undocumented students to the fullest extent of the law. The privacy and safety of every member of the University community is a cornerstone concern for us, and those protections apply equally to undocumented students.

If you have specific concerns about your own situation, I urge you to contact our Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

While I fully support DACA, Drexel will not join other universities in declaring itself a “sanctuary campus.” Such a declaration may have some appeal, but the concept has no basis in law and the University has no authority to bar enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws on its campus. And by making it clear that we respect the rule of law, the University is more likely to receive a good hearing in the event that DACA comes under review again.

I want to see all Drexel students continue to pursue their studies at the University, knowing that they have the strong support of their academic community.

Sincerely,

John A. Fry
President