Response to DACA
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Following the Trump Administration’s announcement on Tuesday regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, I want to reiterate that Baylor University is firmly committed to providing our continued support for any affected students.
Fostering a caring community that is diverse and vibrant is at the core of who we are as a Christian institution. We are called to spread the love of Christ - at home and abroad - as we strive each and every day to be His hands and feet.
DACA students have been an important part of the Baylor Family for several years. Since 2012, the Baylor Law School Immigration Clinic has assisted more than 300 Waco-area residents, including Baylor students, with DACA and other immigration needs.
As Congress considers the future of the DACA program, the University will continually monitor the situation on behalf of our students and will respond to the needs of our community as the situation unfolds.
To our DACA students, Baylor makes the following commitments:
- The University will protect the privacy of student records and information in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA);
- The Baylor University Police Department will comply with all federal laws and mandates. As a matter of practice, BUPD does not engage in profiling; and
- Our Center for Global Engagement will be a beneficial resource for DACA students who are in need of information or assistance.
As it stands, Congress has six months to pass legislation regarding the DACA program. We encourage you to contact your respective elected officials and share your opinions. You can find contact information on the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate websites.
I assure you, Baylor will not waver in our commitment to support all of our students and celebrate the diversity of our student body. We endeavor always to love our neighbors as ourselves. Please pray for our DACA students, the broader Baylor Family and our nation’s leaders.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President