At the invitation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Northeastern Illinois University president Sharon Hahs attended President Obama’s appearance Nov. 25 at the Copernicus Center in Chicago’s Jefferson Park community.
Obama visited the Polish community center to help boost his push to allow millions of undocumented immigrants to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation.
Obama’s appearance was the second major event Hahs attended in the past week in support of Obama’s immigration reform. She also joined U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Emanuel on stage for a Nov. 22 rally at Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen.
“Higher education continues to be an elusive dream for undocumented high school graduates, who face tremendous obstacles in seeking admission to great universities like Northeastern,” said Hahs, who is a governing board member for Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. “We can do more to help these bright and industrious students realize their full educational potential.”
In response to Obama’s plan, Hahs announced on Nov. 21 that Northeastern will join the effort to educate the public, assist with applications for benefits and minimize fraud.
More than two years ago, Northeastern launched an Undocumented Students Project to ensure the University provides its undocumented students with the tools and resources they need to successfully pursue their education and to provide faculty and staff with information and resources to better assist undocumented students and their families.
