The Badass Teachers Association Board of Directors Statement on DACA
The Board of Directors of Badass Teachers Association, a grassroots national education activist organization, strongly condemns President Trump's announcement to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). To quote former Pres. Barack Obama it is “cruel” and “self-defeating.” Trump continues to define his administration as one that supports racism, hatred, and bigotry. We want to be clear – The Board of Directors of The Badass Teachers Association will call on every educator, parent, student, and community member in our network to stand up, and speak out, against the hatred that the Trump administration continues to support.
"Some may shudder or sneer at the prospect of giving shelter to people in need, but that is the reality in our public schools. In the lives of many, many children we provide the only stability, the only safety, the only love they get all day. So you’ll forgive me if I sigh impatiently when some in the media and in the government complain about the United States accepting more refugees. What a bunch of cowards! They act as if it’s a burden. They couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s a privilege." ~Steven Singer, Co-Director BATs Blogging/Research
“Ending DACA will tear at the fabric of the lives of too many of our neighbors, our friends, our students, and our family members. The deconstruction of our communities is an intentional step towards once again putting forth white nationalist policies that harm our most marginalized community members.” ~Melissa Tomlinson, Asst. Executive Director BATs
“Most of my students for the last 22 years were kids who had dreams of helping their families by using their initiative and education to move forward. Many were helped by teachers who helped them get into colleges and universities by helping them overcome the bureaucratic and financial obstacles so many tried to put in their path. When people start to remember that these kids ARE our future, they'll see how futile the fear-based obscenity is of removing extant laws that keep these kids from their potential.” ~Sue Goncarovs, Co-Director BATs Meme Team
“It is unconscionable to me that anyone could think that ripping away the hopes, dreams and opportunities of children who grew up in this country and were educated in our schools could possibly be the best thing for anyone. Ending DACA will not only rob children of their dreams, it will rob our society of the investment we have made in the talent and future potential of these children.” ~Tina Andres, Co-Director BATs Action Team
“We heard that there will be "a big heart" for Dreamers who have come out of the shadows under DACA. These are young people who have done nothing wrong and literally everything right. They trusted in the promise that if they applied for DACA, turning over their personal information to the government, they would be protected. No "big heart" would end the program and tear them away from their families, friends, and the only country many of them have ever known. We need to honor the trust these young people have placed in our country, their country. And we need an end to discriminatory immigration policies.” ~Kathleen Hagans Jeskey, Co-Director BATs State Administrators
“Terminating DACA is an unreasonable and unjustified move that accomplishes nothing good while destroying the only avenue that thousands of young boys and girls had to achieve a personal goal and to become productive members of this society. From a political or social perspectives, this presidential decision is wrong and bad at once. The only hope is to find in the rest of the political elite, the strength and the political will to oppose this inhumane measure.” ~ Sergio Flores, BAT Board of Director Member
“Many of my pre-service teachers are now living in a world of uncertainty. They believed under DACA they could pursue their dream of becoming teachers but now they must live in fear that their work permits will be revoked. We need more teachers and this attack on DACA will hurt our ability to recruit and prepare young people to join this profession.” ~ Dr. Denisha Jones, BATs Board of Directors
We call on all members of our global community to stand up and protect our DACA youth. These are young people who have come here from all over the world as children: from North and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Many have no memory of their country of origin and do not speak the language spoken there. We call upon educators to stand up to an administration that is seeking to take OUR children away from us. We call upon educators to stand up and take steps to make your schools a safe haven for all children.
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For more information on DACA and Immigration please read and share these articles.
5 facts about illegal immigration in the U.S. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/27/5-facts-about-illegal-immigration-in-the-u-s/?fref=gc&dti=1016612275038970
Demographics of Immigrants in the United States illegally https://immigration.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000845
European Immigrants in the United States http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/european-immigrants-united-states?fref=gc&dti=1016612275038970
Here’s the Reality About Illegal Immigrants in the United States https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/06/us/politics/undocumented-illegal-immigrants.html?mcubz=0&_r=0
Think your immigrant ancestors came here legally? Think again | Opinion http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/11/think_your_immigrant_ancestors_came_legally_think.html
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Tools http://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-profiles
Irish in Chicago in ‘shock and fear’ after Trump’s election https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/irish-in-chicago-in-shock-and-fear-after-trump-s-election-1.2870437
Immigration Facts: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) https://www.brookings.edu/research/immigration-facts-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/
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