The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is in danger of ending and DACA recipients are in danger of deportation. As a Jesuit community, we must advocate to protect DACA recipients and create a pathway to citizenship for these members of our communities and many others. The presence of the Justice in Jesuit Higher Education Conference, hosted by Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., creates a unique opportunity to unite the voices of impacted (DACA recipients) students and alumni of Jesuit institutions with Jesuit educators committed to standing with these individuals. For this reason, in partnership with the conference organizers, as well as the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology, the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) is excited to create an opportunity for a Jesuit Higher Education DACA Advocacy Day on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

Questions regarding the day should be addressed to José Arnulfo Cabrera, ISN’s Director of Education and Advocacy for Migration, at [email protected]. 

Who should participate?

Any Jesuit educator (faculty, staff, administrator) attending the Justice in Jesuit Higher Education Conference is welcome to attend. We recognize that some attendees are already committed to other important pre-conference activities and will not be able to join us. If you are a Jesuit educator and not attending the conference, you would be welcome to join us however conference housing is limited and only availalbe for utilization by those registered for the conference.

ISN will be facilitating the participation of approximately 15-20 DACA recipients who are students or alumni of Jesuit institutions to be part of the day. The DACA recipients will serve as the lead voices for Congressional meetings, with Jesuit educators serving as support voices. We feel it is important for those most impacted by the threats to the DACA program to be the prominent voice, but with Jesuit educators right at their side willing to speak to the importance of this issue to Jesuit higher education.

When will things take place?

Those interested in participating in the day should plan to arrive in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, June 2nd to participate in an advocacy preparation meeting that will begin at 7:00 PM that evening. The following morning, advocates will be provided transportation from Georgetown to Capitol Hill, departing campus at 8:30 AM. The morning activities will begin with a brief press conference/rally, followed by legislative advocacy meetings with U.S. Senate offices. The previous evening  Jesuit educators will be paired with Jesuit university students/alumni who are DACA recipients. Advocates will eat lunch on Capitol Hill and transportation will be provided back to Georgetown. Jesuit educators will arrive back to Georgetown no later than 2:30 PM, recognizing that the conference begins at 3:00 PM.

How will I prepare for these meetings?

Ignatian Solidarity Network and other Jesuit partners will schedule your meetings with U.S. Senate offices and coordinate meeting groups that will include the DACA recipients from Jesuit schools. In addition, we will provide you access to preparation materials this spring which we will ask you to review in preparation for our session on Tuesday, June 2nd. That evening we will share final instructions about meetings and provide you time to meet with your congressional meeting groups. We will also have pre-made nametags for the day and “leave behind” materials to give to Congressional offices during your meetings. 

What do I need to do to commit to being part of the day?

To register for the Advocacy Day, please complete the following steps:

1. Ensure that you reserve lodging at Georgetown (or wherever you are staying) beginning on Tuesday, June 2nd and arrange travel arrangements to arrive in time for the 7:00 PM Dinner/Preparation meeting. 
2. Register for the Advocacy Day here.

Questions regarding the day should be addressed to José Arnulfo Cabrera, ISN’s Director of Education and Advocacy for Migration, at [email protected].