Undocumented Students: An Overview of Policies, Myths & Best Practices Paz Maya Olivérez, Ph.D. Executive Director Futuros Educational Services Innovative Educators Webinar Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Presenter Background  Dissertation research took place during the school year  Bi-weekly interviews for 12 months  10 undocumented high school seniors  Latino – Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Peruvian, Colombian  College aspirations/ Enrolled in honors/A.P. courses/ Meet eligibility requirements for CA’s 4-year public universities  Later helped to develop resource guide for CA undocumented students  Continued to deliver workshops for various audiences throughout Los Angeles, California, and the U.S. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Futuros Educational Services  Futuros was started in 2008 to:  Provide one-on-one college advising, college and scholarship application assistance, fundraising support, and informational workshops for students and parents.  Provide professional development workshops for school-, college-, and community-based practitioners to offer up-to-date information and best practices for addressing the needs of undocumented students. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Your Questions….  What questions do you have coming into the workshop?  What information do you hope to walk away with from the workshop? Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Undocumented Students: Who are they?  The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in the year 2000, approximately 2.5 million undocumented youth under age 18 were living in the U.S.  Each year, an estimated 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools  25% of all undocumented immigrants live in California  An estimated 22,000 graduate from high school each year Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Hispanic Center, National Immigration Law Center Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Undocumented Students: Who are they? Similar to peers:  Low-income  Poor academic preparation  First-generation college- goers  Limited access to college information & support Different from peers:  Not eligible for government-sponsored financial aid  Cannot gain legal employment  Cannot acquire a driver’s license  Live in fear of discovery/deportation Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Undocumented Students: Challenges to Legalization People often ask why undocumented students do not apply for a “green card” to legalize their status. The answer is that most of them would love to apply but that in the overwhelming majority of cases they cannot. The legal grounds for such petitions have narrowed to the point where it is almost impossible. The most likely outcome for a student who tries to apply is deportation of his entire family — sometimes to a “home” nation the student cannot remember. Source: National Immigration Law Center. (2009). “Basic Facts about In- State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Students.” Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

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Undocumented Students: In-State Tuition Currently, there are 10 states in the U.S. with policies that allow eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition.  Texas, California, Utah, Illinois, Washington, New York, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma Source: National Immigration Law Center. (2009). “Basic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Students.” Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Undocumented Students: Federal Policy 1982: Plyler vs. Doe U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted undocumented students the right to a public school education from K-12 grade in the U.S. 1996: “Illegal” Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Section 505: Law limiting eligibility for preferential treatment of undocumented immigrants on basis of residence for higher education benefits. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Undocumented Students: DREAM Act  Broadly supported legislation known as the DREAM Act (S. 2075, H.R. 5131) was introduced in March 2009 is currently pending in the U.S. Congress.  Proponents hope that it will be included in Obama’s Immigration Reform bill.  The DREAM Act would provide a path to legal status for individuals who are undocumented, even though they were brought to the U.S. years ago as children and have lived most of their lives here. It would also repeal the provision of law that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition to undocumented immigrant residents by requiring them to provide the same benefits to students who do not reside in the state. Source: National Immigration Law Center. (2009). “Basic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Students.” Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Financial Aid for Immigrant Students  If a student filed an application with USCIS, the student may already be eligible for resident fee status and also to receive state financial aid. Have them speak to their attorney.  If the student has a “green card” or social security number, they are eligible to complete the FAFSA.  Undocumented students should not complete the online FAFSA application.  Undocumented students should contact someone at the college they plan to attend to ask about completing a paper FAFSA for institutional aid.  Some students/families may be eligible for loans from some banks/loan agencies/private lenders if they have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

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College Access Challenge #1 Students are uninformed & misinformed  Include undocumented student information in all college/financial aid materials  Have a 1-page fact sheet for undocumented students/parents  Incorporate as part of individualized advising  Include expert presenters in all college-related events  Professional development for college access professionals Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

College Access Challenge #2 Students lack mentors & encouragement  Student support groups  High school clubs (i.e., develop & advise)  Undocumented student alumni  Undocumented college student groups  Individualized counseling and guidance Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

College Access Challenge #3 Parents lack of college knowledge  Involve parents in college preparation process  Develop parent support groups  Provide information in parents’ native language  Connect parents to community resources Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

College Access Challenge #4 Students’ college choices are largely influenced by finances  Provide information about college costs for all systems of higher education.  Bring in current undocumented college students to share their stories.  Be realistic. Provide information & motivation but be realistic about the challenges. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

College Access Challenge #5 Students need assistance when completing college admissions applications  Help students complete residency questions (develop relationships with college admission representatives)  Attend college/university application workshops annually to stay informed of policy changes  General support for completing applications (if you don’t know the answer, find someone who does) Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

College Access Challenge #6 Students need assistance with fundraising for college  SCHOLARSHIPS  Research scholarships without residency requirements Develop a space for this information in your office  Update scholarship lists regularly  Provide scholarship application assistance Proofread essays, write letters of recommendation, offer scholarship application workshops  FUNDRAISING PORTFOLIO Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Additional Fundraising Ideas  BE CREATIVE!  Look to your organization/institution: Develop an undocumented student scholarship fund Inquire about the availability of discretionary funds  Look to student/family/community: House parties, raffles, candy sales, etc.  Look to undocumented College Student Groups: Scholarship opportunities Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Post-graduate Options  Job opportunities  Graduate school

More steps you can take to help…  GET CONNECTED  Partner with feeder high school and college-based counselors/advisers  Partner with local organizations/ agencies in your community (including immigration attorneys)  STAY ACTIVE & INFORMED  Advocate for your students (i.e., scholarship providers, policymakers)  Stay informed about policies that impact undocumented students Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Information Resources For up-to-date information on state/federal legislation:  National Immigration Law Center For research and statistics on undocumented immigrants:  Pew Hispanic Center For immigration information and legal advice for immigrant youth:  Public Counsel

Remaining Questions Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities

Please feel free to contact us:  Paz Maya Olivérez, Ph.D. Executive Director Futuros Educational Services  For more information: We can also be found on Facebook. Promoting College Access for Low Income and Immigrant Communities