“We can offer our space. We can offer our university to educate a student, so they don’t have to worry about being deported.”
– Jon Munn, Director of marketing and communications at Huron College
On January 20th, the American government would shutdown for three days.
Government shutdowns are not common, nor are they unusual. This particular case stemmed from an ongoing and headline debate: immigration.
Through this debate was the situation with DACA individuals or as they are sometimes referred to as Dreamers. DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, people who were either born in the US by illegal immigrants or brought at a very young age by alien parents.
During the Obama-era, congress passed the DREAMERS-Act, which would allow for individuals under DACA to apply for a temporary status. This 2 year status ensured they would not be deported, and would allowed them to attend school and go to work legally.
Many of these youths have never experienced life where their parents are originally from. Their home is the United States and they largely consider themselves as US citizens.
(Idaho DACA Student/ Facebook)
During President Trump’s first year his rescinded DACA policy, and essentially set an expiration date for Dreamers. The announcement was made in September of 2017 and a widespread panic struck the immigrants of the US.
The recent shutdown was a failure to agree upon funding for government agencies and policies- like DACA. Through a vote, the proposed funding was not passed as Democrats and Republicans could not come to an agreement on DACA amongst other details.
Fingers were pointed, and eventually the two sides came to an accord. Republicans agree to open debate on DACA and immigration policy, and Democrats agreed on funding for Trump’s border wall.
Huron College/UWO
At Huron College, the president immediately jumped into action following the rescinding of DACA policy. Dr. Barry Craig was inspired by all the hopeful Dreamer student’s to propose a $60,000 scholarship to those who applied.
Although applicants need to reach certain academic standings, the colligate college has received interest.
Jon Munn is the director of marketing and communications at Huron College. Munn says that interest started off slow, but they are continuing to see interest as word spreads.
“What I hope is the students who are effected by DACA reach out and inquire, because you don’t know what you don’t know.”
