Showing ‘Moral Courage’ on DACA

Why It's Good Strategy for Business Leaders to Weigh In

SMITH BRAIN TRUST – As lawmakers continue to grapple to find a fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Executive-in-Residence William Longbrake at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business says it’s imperative -- both strategically and morally -- for business leaders to push Congress to pass the DREAM Act.  The legislation sponsored by Republican Lindsay Graham seeks to prevent deportation of these “DREAMers” -- brought into the United States at an early age without documentation but who have assimilated to U.S. culture and have been educated by U.S. school systems.

In a blogpost at New York-based Auburn Seminary, Longbrake writes “public sentiment overwhelmingly supports the intent of the DACA program.” And, he adds, the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and other heavyweights advocating for DREAMers, suggests minimal risk for U.S. business, broadly, to support action.

In his blog-post Longbrake challenges business: “But, it could take real moral courage to advocate that Congress pass the DREAM Act. And, by “advocate” I mean taking affirmative action beyond mere words. Business leaders should not be afraid to organize and lobby politicians to do what they believe is in the best long-term interests of America and not limit their involvement in the public square to narrow business self-interests.”

Longbrake concludes that organized action, on top of words, can provide “the power to effect political change. “This is business leaders’ opportunity, indeed moral obligation,” he writes. “But stepping out requires courage.”

Read more from Longbrake’s piece, DACA and the Business Moral Imperative,” here.