Working with Undocumented Students A workshop for High School Guidance Counselors, AVID teachers, and other school personnel

My Dissertation An Exploration of the Knowledge High School Guidance Counselors in Missouri Have as They Assist Undocumented Students Trying to Gain Access to College

My findings: Concerning undocumented students attempting to gain access to college, high school guidance counselors in Missouri:  Lack awareness  Lack Knowledge  Lack Training

How did these kids get here? Illegal crossings Smuggling Parents encouraged by industry Over-stayed a visa Don’t forget children who were born here – they are citizens, but their parents are not.

Basic Vocabulary Undocumented Student – rather than Illegal or Alien Resident tuition = in-state tuition Non-resident tuition = out of state tuition Permanent Resident = “green card” Visa – can be work, tourist, student

Plyler v. Doe (1982) Immigrants have the right to seek a public K-12 education Denying access to a free public education creates and entire class of people who are “disabled” because of illiteracy Because these students are not here legally, the government has no responsibility to provide government services Drachman, 2006

Two laws that affect the issue in 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act ◦ Focuses on immigrants – visas, work permits, deportation, punishment, and pardons Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act ◦ Focuses on welfare reform

Impacts of 1996 laws Undocumented Students CANNOT receive Federal Financial Aid to attend college No clarification about Resident v. Non- resident Tuition (therefore, states decide)

IMPORTANT MYTH BUSTED There is no law against undocumented students applying, being admitted, or enrolling in college

DREAM Act Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (2001) Started as a constitutional amendment Was not ratified A version has been passed in 12 states: ◦ California, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin

DREAM Act Provisions Provide resident tuition for undocumented students at public institutions Allows for conditional residents status for 6-8 years while in school or military After two years, can apply for permanent residency

DREAM Act conditions Must have entered the US before age 16 Must have lived in the US for at least 5 years Must have HS diploma or GED Must have “good moral character” Must be admitted to an institution or military

FACTS about UDS Between 50,000 and 60,000 graduate each year ELL or not Often have triple sub-group status: ◦ Minority ◦ Low income ◦ First generation college students Often have college aspirations, but little idea how to get there May or may not be prepared for college-level course work Often lack “cultural capital”

College Complications No access to PELL grants (or any federal financial aid) May or may not have access to state financial aid (obviously not in MO) Usually required to pay non-resident tuition (yes in MO) Makes affordable schools too expensive No driver’s license, social security card, passport

Is it about race? Majority of undocumented students are non-white ◦ 56% Mexico ◦ 22% other Latin American countries ◦ 13% Asian ◦ 6% European and Canadian ◦ 3% African and other parts of the world Up until 1952 immigration law had two requirements for citizenship: male and white

Could it still be about race? Meritocracy and colorblindness ◦ Rewards based on merit ◦ Claiming to be colorblind and treat all the same way in an effort to be “fair” ◦ Claiming to be neutral and treating everyone the same This IGNORES the unique needs of undocumented students

Is ethnic discrimination Racist-Nativism – favoring the white native over the (non-white) foreigner Many examples throughout US history Especially apparent toward Latino/as during times of economic downturn

What sort of ethnic discrimination? Immigration issues Language rights Bilingual Schooling Census Categories for Hispanics Helplessness concerning status Shame because of the media’s over- representation of “illegal aliens”

Social Capital Functions with two common elements: ◦ Some aspect of social structure ◦ Certain actions result among the actors within the structure Social Capital “exists in the relations among persons” We have to teach college-going literacies Colman (1988)

Is Social Capital the Key? Many undocumented students are victims of poverty, racism, and substandard schooling Peer networks and school officials can enable poor and minority students access and resources for school success Gildersleeve & Ranero (2010)

Generation 1.5 Immigrant Children Arrived before 12 Most if not all school in the US Often outpace their parents in educational attainment Often forced into adult roles because of English proficiency

Awareness There are no undocumented students in my school We don’t have migrant workers living in our district We don’t have many ELL students or all of our ELL students receive services REALITY – They are hiding in plain sight

Finding your students who are undocumented Students who don’t drive Students who don’t work Students who have to translate for their parents (may miss school for this) It’s not illegal to ask, but make sure there is a trusting relationship Students who have been successful in school, but balk at college discussions School employees are NOT reporters of immigration status

Breaking the Code of Silence Display DREAMERS paraphernalia Offer college information in other languages Mention the ability to help undocumented students in all college presentations Educate yourself on the ever-changing laws concerning undocumented students Secrecy only hurts the students

The cultural wealth undocumented students bring Aspirational capital (hopes and dreams in spite of the odds) Linguistic capital (more than one language or style) Familial capital (community history, memory, and culture) Navigational capital (ability to navigate the dominant society) Resistant capital (ability to challenge oppression)

How do we help? Guide students to access social capital Work on applications for admissions, scholarships, financial aid Help students become proficient in written and spoken formal English Support students in challenging course work Help students highlight their cultural wealth

What about DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ◦ TEMPORARY ◦ Not a path to citizenship (like the DREAM Act would provide) ◦ Must have arrived before 16 ◦ Must have continuously lived in US since 2007 ◦ Must not have had legal immigration status since 2012 ◦ In HS, graduated or GED Postpones (defers) deportation 2 years Person has legal status during that time

WARNING Undocumented students should not file FAFSA (ever) Children who are citizens but whose parents are not should file FAFSSA ◦ Enter for parents SS# ◦ Will have to print off parent signature page and send in Independent student status (difficult until 23)

Resources College offices (admission and financial aid) Many organizations offer good information ◦ College Board ◦ United We Dream ◦ Hispanic Scholarship Fund ◦ United Negro College Fund ◦ UndocU (youtube)

Additional Discussion