Ohio colleges and universities have banded together to protect undocumented students. Several educational institutions have stood up against president-elect Donald Trump's threat to renounce the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The Washington Times reported that about 11 colleges and universities in Ohio have joined the efforts to protect undocumented students. This comes after Trump's victory has raised the students' concerns over possible status changes during his presidency.
Universities, as well as other experts, are worried that Trump may cancel the DACA program placed by President Obama. This has allowed young immigrants, who call themselves "Dreamers," to work and travel in the country for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes.
Institutions like the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio University in Athens and Miami University in Oxford have joined other schools in signing a petition for the continuation and expansion of the program. Other Ohio schools that signed are the Columbus College of Art & Design, Denison University in Granville, Kenyon College in Gambler, Ohio Dominican University in Columbus as well as the Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware.
Ohio Wesleyan president Rock Jones said that they will "vigorously oppose" any initiative that makes it more challenging for students to come to the U.S. to pursue higher education. He also added that Ohio Wesleyan will accept students in terms of its nondiscrimination policies and the institution will not reveal confidential student records "without permission or legal mandate."
Online petitions have urged universities to become "sanctuary campuses." Students at Harvard have also shared a petition that called the university to appoint an administrator to support undocumented students. It was also requested that an office and a mental health counselor be provided for these individuals.
It was previously reported that Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller confirmed that Trump is planning to "immediately terminate" Obama's "illegal executive amnesties." "The President-elect has consistently pledged to rescind all illegal and unconstitutional executive orders from the current administration, and this is one of them."
