On December 4, 2020, a federal district court ruled in Batalla v. Trump that the Trump administration must restore Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to its original terms. The court’s decision rescinds a Trump administration memorandum that severely limited and undermined DACA, effectively restoring DACA to the terms and eligibility of the original 2012 memo. Though the court’s decision is positive news, there is another court case by state’s attorney generals in the Southern District of Texas that threatens the continued existence of DACA.
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration (the Presidents’ Alliance) convened a group of campus, higher education, and immigration advocacy stakeholders, which helped inform the following checklist representing six top priorities campuses can consider engaging in to support students and prepare for a new court decision.
The six priorities are the following:
- Raise awareness about the Batalla decision.
- Expand and continue legal representation and screenings.
- Audit and update internal and institutional policies.
- Prepare a comprehensive communications plan.
- Promote holistic support services and career guidance.
- Develop a rapid response plan.
Last updated: December 10, 2020
