Statement on Supreme Court’s Rulings on DACA and LGBTQIA+ Equality

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2020

Media Contact: Miya Walker; Public Affairs

NORWALK, Calif. - June 24, 2020 - The Supreme Court’s recent rulings preserve civil rights; diversity, equity, and inclusion across the United States. On June 18, 2020, the high court ruled to shield nearly 700,000 Dreamers through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Dreamers/AB 540 students will be protected from deportation and allowed to continue their pursuit of higher education, serve in the military, and seek employment opportunities, among other areas. The Supreme Court overruled the Trump Administration’s plan to immediately end DACA, which would have terminated the eight-year-old program established during the Obama years. 

On June 15, 2020, the high court also ruled to protect the employment rights of LGBTQIA+ workers under the 1964 Civil Rights Act (under Title VII). The law forbids employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, or sex. The ruling also forbids employers from denying healthcare to LGBTQIA+ employees. Currently, only 21 states and the District of Columbia provide full, explicit legal protections for LGBTQIA+ people based on gender identity and sexual orientation, including California. 

The Cerritos College Board of Trustees issued the following statement:
 
"The Supreme Court’s historic decision to protect Dreamers/AB 540 students and LGBTQIA+ employees is a step in the right direction toward civil rights; diversity, inclusion, and equity. The Board celebrates these unprecedented rulings as powerful examples of hope that one day we will get to a place where systemic discrimination on the basis of immigration status, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or ability, is no longer tolerated. As a college, we must continue to do our part to disrupt all forms of systemic racism and discrimination at every level,” said Marisa Perez, president, Cerritos College Board of Trustees.

  

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