Date: Tuesday, September 5, 2017
To: THE NYU COMMUNITY
From: NYU President Andrew Hamilton

Dear Members of the NYU Community,

As I suspect is the case for many of you, I was profoundly disappointed by the Trump Administration’s announcement today rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This was an issue that cried out to be decided differently -- a missed opportunity to display decency, to show compassion, and to demonstrate that it is at odds with our national values to make young people fearful of being deported from the country they grew up in and call home.

Without congressional action, DACA will expire on March 5, 2018.  As negotiations over a potential legislative solution begin in earnest in Congress, NYU will continue to make sure its voice on this issue is heard loudly and clearly. On our own, as well as working with the national higher education associations, we will be pressing Members of Congress  to move quickly over the coming weeks  to identify a solution that will protect those currently covered by DACA.  We will also closely follow the developments in the courts challenging today’s announcement, and will add our weight to those actions where we can.

Regardless of today’s announcement, NYU is committed to fully supporting our DACA students. We will continue to provide financial aid to undocumented students as before, and will work with students on a case-by-case basis to try to address any other issues that may arise as a result of today’s action.

Rest assured that NYU’s Department of Public Safety officers will continue neither to ask about the immigration status of those on our campus, nor will they convey an individual's status to any other governmental entity. Similarly, the University will provide no information to immigration authorities about members of our community absent a court order, and stand prepared to fight any court orders we believe to be overly broad or invasive.

For the immediate future, I want to remind any undocumented members of our community of two things.

First, remember that NYU’s Immigrant Defense Initiative provides free legal advice, referrals, and/or representation on immigration issues to NYU students, staff, and faculty. Members of the NYU community can schedule a confidential consultation with an Immigrant Defense Initiative attorney by phone at 212.998.6640, or by email at immigrant.defense@law.nyu.edu.  And members of the NYU community who would like to request assistance of any kind related to today’s announcement can contact us via this form. We will also continue to update our website with information and guidance for undocumented students.

And second, while you may feel fearful or dismayed today, remember that you are a member of a community that cares about you, a university where you are welcome and respected.  Do not hesitate to ask for assistance; we are here for you.

Sincerely,

Andrew Hamilton