Dear UWM Faculty, Staff and Students,

We were pleased to see the U.S. Supreme Court issue two important decisions this week that extend protections for LGBTQ+ workers and for people, including some UWM students, who were brought to the United States as young undocumented children.

This morning the court affirmed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, continuing legal protection for people brought to the United States as minors outside of the U.S. immigration system. We hope this development provides confidence and peace of mind to students and their families as they continue to complete their studies and move on to productive and successful careers in this country.

Earlier this week, the court issued a decision that provides protection for LGBTQ+ employees from employment discrimination. UWM’s own Discriminatory Conduct policy already protects gender identity/expression and sexual orientation, though we applaud the court’s decision for the positive impact it will have for employees throughout the country.

As a university committed to a caring, compassionate and collegial community characterized by mutual respect for diversity in all of its definitions, captured in our Guiding Values, we are delighted our beliefs have been affirmed in federal law and that employees can work without fear of discriminatory action based on their identity and Dreamers can continue their education, and lives, without the immediate fear of deportation.

Best regards,