Emerson Joins Pro-DACA Amicus Brief

Emerson College and President Jay Bernhardt signed on to an amicus brief before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that supports the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

On January 25, 2024, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration released a draft amicus brief to support the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s (MALDEF) appeal in Texas v. United States. The College and Dr. Bernhardt join more than 163 organizations in signing the brief.

“As a college president in Boston and a former dean in Texas, I have witnessed the positive impact that higher education has on young dreamers and their communities. In turn, dreamers have a significant impact that enriches the educational experience for all students,” Bernhardt said. “Emerson is proud to join this important amicus brief.”

The brief presents evidence of the vital role DACA plays at the institutions and beyond, enabling thousands of “Dreamers,” previously undocumented students who were brought to the United States by their families as children, to pursue a college degree and contribute to their campuses, communities, and the nation.

The amicus brief highlights three main arguments in its support of DACA recipients:

• DACA recipients graduating from college match or outperform their peers on key metrics, and are making significant contributions to the most important sectors of our economy.
• DACA recipients achieve social mobility and support their children and, in many cases, their parents and other family members.
• DACA’s end would be a blow to higher education.

Emerson has previously signed other amicus briefs in support of DACA.