Letter to Ohio Congressional Delegation

September 5, 2017

The Honorable Joyce B. Beatty 
United States House of Representatives 
133 Cannon House Office Building 
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congresswoman Beatty: 

I write today in response to the president's regrettable decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and urge you and your colleagues to use this opportunity to find a bipartisan solution that will, at a minimum, codify the existing DACA policy into law. 

The unfortunate decision to end this program causes tremendous uncertainty and painful consequences for DACA participants in Ohio and across the country. Throughout my career in higher education, I have encountered these young people, and they are among the brightest and most enterprising students on our campus. They have overcome numerous obstacles just to have a chance to earn an education at The Ohio State University. They are rightfully described as Dreamers. 

Dreamers from campuses across our great state have enriched our classrooms and laboratories, and continue to contribute positively to Ohio's economy. They have been raised and educated in the United States and have proven to be an important asset to our society. Passing legislation to codify DACA protections into law would help mitigate the unfortunate disruption that DACA termination could otherwise have on these young people's lives and would allow them to continue their pursuit of the American Dream, to our mutual benefit. 

Please join me in supporting these students who arrived on our campuses believing in the promise of this great country. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely,

Michael V. Drake, MD
President