THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AT STORRS EXECUTIVE BOARD STATEMENT SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2017

The Executive Board of the Undergraduate Student Government at the University of Connecticut at Storrs has been left at a loss for words at the action taken by President Donald J. Trump to remove the protected status of Dreamers (undocumented youth) in our country through the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. We are just as disheartened and devastated today as we were on the day that this was announced. To our administrators, faculty, staff, and students now more than ever we must all support undocumented students at the University of Connecticut. These students are our roommates, best friends, peers, and co-workers. Earlier this year the Undergraduate Student Government worked with CT Students for a Dream (C4D), allies, UConn Police Department, and administrators to ensure the safety and success of all undocumented students. You can find more information at http://today.uconn.edu/2016/12/supporting-undocumented-students-uconn/. By working with student leaders from C4D, administrators, and UConn Law, we have also been able to identify several UConn Law School alumni who practice in the immigration field and are willing to support UConn students who are affected by the rescinding of the DACA program. Below is some information for those interested: “Any student wishing to seek such help should call Carmen Arroyo, who works in the office of the clinics at the UConn Law School. Students should give Carmen their basic information, which she will then forward to our alumni volunteers to determine if one of them will agree to talk directly with the student. Carmen will need the student's name, phone number and email address, and may ask for some additional information that will bear on eligibility. Carmen Arroyo can be reached at 860-570-5165 or by email at [email protected].” For additional resources, please go to CT Students for a Dream FB page. Under DACA, our students and alumni have been able to pursue opportunities that have been crucial in our success not just as a university, but also as a state, and as a nation. These students are leaders in education, business, medicine, social work, etc. They are continuing their education whether it be graduate school, law school, or medical school. These students, these Dreamers, deserve these opportunities. The University of Connecticut and the United States of America would simply not be the same without them. To undocumented students at UConn, please know that the Undergraduate Student Government is here for you, working for you, and standing in solidarity with you and your families. The student representatives on the executive board and throughout our entire organization are committed to serving the interests of all students, regardless of their immigration status. We encourage the rest of our community to join us in support of those impacted by learning more and helping Dreamers in any way that they can. If you have any ideas moving forward or would like to work together, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Signed IRMA VALVERDE

President AMA APPIAH

Academic Affairs

LYSETTE JOHNSON

Vice President HALEY HINTON

External Affairs

SEEYA SODANI NANDAN TUMU ANDREW STERN

Comptroller JAY GALA

Funding Board

Speaker MALU FOLEY

Programs

Chief Justice GABBY FAZZINA

Student Development

WAWA GATHERU MARISA NAZZARO CAIO GONCALVES

Student Services Pres. Chief of Staff

VP Chief of Staff