Goshen College a couple weeks after president signed DACA statement

It’s been two weeks since more than 300 college presidents showed their support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by signing a statement.

The president at Goshen College, Jim Brenneman, says it was more than just a ceremonial gesture. He explained how his college is showing full support to students by enhancing their mission of being an all-inclusive institution.

Brenneman says since he signed that nationwide statement of support, he’s sat with DACA students.

DACA, signed by President Obama in 2012, grants children who were brought to the US illegally access to higher education.

20 percent of Goshen College’s population is Latino, not all being DACA students,  but still those who are, are feeling a little stressed.

“If there’s any way we can relieve that and say we have your back, like we say here,  we will do everything we can to help you succeed,” said Brenneman.

Since this year’s election,  Brenneman says there’s been growing concern and lingering questions.

“What does this mean for some of the brightest and best students at Goshen?” he asked.

Brenneman did say he knows some might not be in favor of DACA, but at this point in time it’s not debatable at least for him.

“We have a shortage of 15,000 workers just in our region and so it just doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Students say now that administration has reaffirmed the value DACA students have here in this community and on this campus they walk around feeling more supported.

“Comfortable,” said a DACA student at Goshen College. “It’s relieving like i said to know if anything happens i’ll be protected here.”

One student who preferred to remain anonymous and not show her face came to Goshen College from Tijuana, Baja California. She’s been here since she was five.

“I would not be here if it wasn’t for DACA,” she said.

She told me in the future she sees herself succeeding because of this statement, which is President Brenneman’s goal

“I do think the good of our community, our region, our state, our nation will be enhanced by this particular group of students,” said Brenneman.