District supports students impacted by DACA

Supt. Barry Tomasetti says Dreamers are dedicated, hard-working students

Kennett Consolidated School District directors announced this week that they will support and defend students affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

“This isn’t about politics, it’s about the students,” said Barry Tomasetti, superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District.

The DACA program was formed through executive order by former President Barack Obama in 2012 and allows certain people, called Dreamers, who come to the U.S. illegally as minors to be protected from immediate deportation. Recipients are able to request “consideration of deferred action” for a period of two years, which is subject to renewal. Deferred action does not provide lawful immigration status.

The student population at Kennett High School is extremely diverse, with nearly one out of every four students being Hispanic or Latino. Some of those students are unregistered immigrants.

“In my capacity as superintendent, I have the opportunity and privilege to interact with children who are living in our country under the promise and protection of DACA,” Tomasetti said. “I witness firsthand their dedication, hard work, determination to learn and assimilate into our culture and respect for others without prejudice. They share a commonality with all our young accomplished students to become productive, contributing citizens of the United States and valued members of our community.”

Tomasetti said teachers have been trained to identify student stress.

“Recent governmental activities threaten to eliminate the promise of immigration protection under DACA for our young school-age children,” Tomasetti said. “This action has a direct and immeasurable effect on our students, triggering extreme anxiety concerning the security of their home and future, an outlook that no child should experience at this

critical period in their lives.

Tomasetti said he contacted local lawmakers

expressing the district’s stance of protecting Kennett students affected by DACA.

La Comunidad Hispana in Kennett Square is offering free DACA legal renewals for those whose DACA

status and permit will expire between Sept. 5 and Oct. 5 this year. It takes place on Sept. 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at LaComunidad Hispana. The Mexican Consulate will be at the event.