HCC vows to back DREAM students
As students living in the country without legal permission and their families worry about what a Donald Trump presidency could mean for them, Houston Community College’s board on Thursday adopted a resolution pledging to protect all of its students, regardless of national origin or immigration status.
The 7-1 vote, with one abstention, came after HCC Trustee Zeph Capo organized a rally before the meeting to denounce the proposed education policies of Trump and Betsy DeVos, his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Education.
Capo, the president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said the actions were meant to show that educators will not stand for any potential discrimination by the incoming administration.
“This is standing up to make sure every student has access to a great public school or university that is safe and welcoming, focused on the wellbeing of students,” Capo said. “That’s what we owe our students, and we will stand united against any effort to undermine public education.”
The central focus of the resolution and rally was Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. The federal policy mimics Texas’ version of the DREAM Act, which allows students living in the country illegally to attend and pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
Students, educators and immigration activists worry that Trump’s sharp rhetoric on illegal immigration could foreshadow an end to such programs.
Already, state Rep. Jonathan Strickland, R-Bedford, has filed a bill that would eliminate in-state tuition for students living in the country illegally,
and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed support for the idea.
David Johnson, Houston ISD’s director of college readiness, said such a repeal could deter immigrant students from attaining post-secondary education.
“The fear that we hear in the district from students is that they’ll be deported if DACA is repealed,” Johnson said. “Part of what I do is to make sure students have the opportunity to attend college and feel safe and aren’t living in fear that they’ll be exposed or that their information will be sent to immigration officials.”
During public comments at the board meeting, several current and former students came forward to say they were living in the country without legal permission or benefited from DACA and worry about younger students who may not have the same opportunities.
Among them was Gloria Gonzalez Lopez, who has been accepted to schools including Texas A&M University and the University of Houston.
“If we’re denied educational rights, what hope will there be for us?” Lopez said. “I hope many institutions pass similar resolutions at their own campuses.”
Trustee Dave Wilson, who opposed the resolution, groused over the fact it included protections for students based on their sexual preferences and gender identities. He said such language practically mandates Christian professors and students endorse homosexuality and transgender classmates.
“I never thought I would see the day when this country, founded on the Bible, would see people persecuted for their beliefs,” Wilson said.
Capo said he was offended that Wilson would distract from the goal of protecting immigrant students to push his personal religious beliefs.
“First and foremost, this is primarily about our students who come from international places who are our kids and our neighbors,” Capo said. “Kids should be put first in our mission.”
Trustee Adriana Tamez agreed with Capo.
“A huge percentage of our students are international,” Tamez said. “We need to make sure that when they come here, they feel like we embrace them.”
After the vote, Houston Federation of Teachers Vice President Andrew Dewey said the resolution was ground-breaking.
“I’m not sure that any other colleges have taken such an action,” Dewey said. “The promise of public education is that education is for everyone, and HCC is doing that.”