January 18, 2018
Baltimore, MD - Today, Dr. Gordon May, President & CEO of Baltimore City Community College (BCCC), issued the following statement urging the Maryland Congressional Delegation to add provisions in the final FY2018 spending agreement that protects students who are covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals:
“Baltimore City Community College vehemently condemns any action to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and urges the Maryland Congressional Delegation to work diligently towards including provisions in the final FY2018 spending agreement that protects students who are covered under DACA.
“As the President of a community college that supports students who are DACA recipients, I know that our Dreamers are among the hardest working in the student body. They have earned their place in our country and must be protected.
“Any move to displace DACA recipients is a display of disregard for our nation’s students and a lack of understanding on the impact such a decision would have on communities around the nation. At BCCC, our DACA students bring unique perspectives and viewpoints to our campus, excel academically, and contribute to our local economy upon graduating.
“I fear the chilling effect a repeal would have on higher education institutions. Students who are DACA recipients often rely on legal income to pay for college. They would immediately lose their work permits and be prohibited from working in the U.S., completely upending their ability to pay for school and obtain educational opportunities that otherwise would not be possible.
“It’s imperative that the Maryland Congressional Delegation puts student outcomes over politics, and helps shield hundreds of thousands from deportation.”
