Skip to content
Clark University
  • Media Relations
Suggest a Story
ClarkNow logo
  • Topics
  • All Stories
  • In the News
  • Expert Sources
  • Podcasts
      • Info For

        • Media Relations
Suggest a Story

Student president’s open letter to Trump on DACA gaining steam nationally

January 26, 2017
By Clark News and Media Relations

statue of liberty

Pragmatism, not politics, prompted Cory Bisbee ’19, Clark’s undergraduate student president, to pen an open letter to President Donald Trump urging him to uphold and continue Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), H-1B visas and general visas for international students.

He circulated the letter among fellow student presidents across the country, and, as of this week, it’s been signed by student leaders from 60 institutions in 27 states and the District of Columbia — Princeton University, Stanford University and the University of Chicago among them — who collectively represent roughly 841,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

“We have a basic responsibility to serve the interests of those we represent,” Bisbee says in a statement. “In my mind that encompasses calling for policies that will benefit our students and calling out those which will do quite the opposite — regardless of the party, the president, or other politician from which such policy proposals may come.”

In the letter, Bisbee writes DACA — a 2012 Obama administration policy — has benefitted more than 700,000 people, “talented, law-abiding students and alumni who are actively contributing to their communities and our society.” He cites the economic, social and cultural benefits of H-1B visas and international student visas for all on college and university campuses.

While on the campaign trail, Trump took aim at DACA, which allows eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to request deferred deportation action and apply for work permits. He hasn’t approached the DACA issue yet, according to this BBC News article. Also, there continues to be speculation about H-1B visa policy, which currently allows American companies to employ foreign workers.

In his statement, Bisbee says he issued the letter in “direct response” to Trump’s campaign policy proposals.

Bisbee’s letter has gained attention from several news sources, including the Worcester Telegram and Gazette and Inside Higher Ed. His statement says he circulated it “not in the vein of partisanship, but in the spirit of partnership,” and notes the signatories are willing to meet with Trump to make their case.

 

Clark Community

Related Stories

More from this topic
Students on campus green
Clark student helps develop nationwide survey for transition-to-college study
Anita Fabos leads a discussion in the International Development, Community, and Environment Department.
Professor Anita Fabos to co-lead discussion on refugees, their experience, and expertise
More from this topic
  • Apply Undergrad
  • Apply Grad
  • Give
  • Contact Us
Helpful Links
  • Report a Concern
  • Offices
  • Campus Safety
  • Employment
  • Healthy Clark Dashboard
  • Website Feedback
Follow Us
  • See more of us on Facebook
  • See more of us on Twitter
  • See more of us on Instagram
  • See more of us on TikTok
  • See more of us on YouTube
  • See more of us on LinkedIn
Clark University footer logo Return to Clark University Homepage
Challenge Convention.
Change Our World.
508-793-7711
950 Main Street Worcester, MA 01610
Copyright © 2023 Clark University Public Information | Privacy Policy | Website Accessibility | Nondiscrimination Policy