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Dear KIPP LA Community,

I am saddened and outraged by President Trump’s announcement that he is ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months.

DACA is a program, created during the Obama administration, that protects young people who came to the United States as children from deportation and creates a legal pathway for nearly 800,000 “Dreamers” to attend college, work or serve in the military. The elimination of DACA protections is a heartless act that compromises the future of young people who represent the best of our country.

We are still learning the details of the DACA announcement, but here is what we know so far:

• If you currently have DACA protections, you remain covered by the program until March 5th, 2018;
• If your DACA permit expires between now and March 5th, you can still apply for a two year extension, but you must do so before October 5th, 2017;
• Ifyou do not currently have DACA protections, you can no longer apply for a permit, although applications that have already been submitted may still be granted;
• Unless Congress passes legislation to make DACA protections permanent, the program and itsprotections will end on March 5th, 2018.  

While DACA’s future is uncertain, our commitment – to all of our students and families – is stronger than ever.

KIPP LA is proud to stand with LA’s immigrant families. We want to remind the KIPP LA community that our schools remain safe places where students can learn and succeed, regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parents and family. And we are committed to doing everything in our power to help ensure the rights of our students, families and staff are protected and the values of our community are respected.

We are making sure KIPP students and alumni have the support they need to make college a reality through our KIPP Through College program. Our college counseling, preparation and financial aid support services remain open and available to all KIPP LA students. Here is some guidance for students and families who may be impacted by the loss of DACA protections. You can stay updated on DACA news and ways to stand with Dreamers by signing up at FWD.US.

Over the next six months, leaders in Congress will be working on a legislative solution to help Dreamers and to make DACA protections permanent. I assure you KIPP LA will be mobilizing to make sure our voices are heard and I hope I can count on the whole KIPP LA community to join us.  Call your Members of Congress today to let them know you stand in support of DACA and Dreamers.

We will keep our KIPP LA community updated as new information becomes available.

One Team and One Family,

Marcia Aaron

Chief Executive Officer