UC Davis Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking about the rise and fall of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy over lunch with the UC Davis Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA).  Med student Lizette Rodriguez, co-chair of LMSA, graciously introduced me to the medical students and faculty.  Gabriela Herrera, Field Representative/Caseworker in Rep. Doris Matsui’s office, was among those in attendance.

In my remarks, I offered some background about the immigration enforcement record of President Obama. Building off the programs relied on by President Obama,  President Trump has greatly increased enforcement and, in many respects, frightened immigrant communities.  I discussed the importance of Congress passing immigration reform to address many of the problems in the current immigration system.  I also talked about the challenges facing professionals -- doctors as well as lawyers -- in providing assistance to immigrants.  We had a great group of questions from the students.

I enjoyed talking with tomorrow’s doctors.  We are lucky to have a vibrant, socially conscious group of Latina/o students at the UC Davis School of Medicine.