DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS DACA

Objectives Identify information that will help Student Affairs Professionals provide accurate advice to undocumented students during their admission process. Become aware of some of the challenges that undocumented students face in their pursuit of postsecondary education.

Unauthorized/Undocumented Population Unauthorized/Undocumented Population The unauthorized or undocumented resident immigrant population is defined as all foreign-born non-citizens who are not legal residents. Source: Department of Homeland Security. Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the U.S: 2011 Report (2012).

From where do undocumented immigrants come to the US?

Source: Department of Homeland Security. Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the U.S: 2011 Report (2012) million unauthorized immigrants in the United States in million unauthorized children under 18 years old (2011)

IMMIGRANT POPULATION IN OHIO The foreign born share of Ohio’s population was 3.9% (451,000 immigrants) in 2012 Unauthorized immigrants comprised roughly 0.9% of the state’s population in 2010 Source: Pew Research Center. _population_by_state.html United States Census Bureau

UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN They played little to no role in the decision to emigrate or remain in the United States Nationwide, nearly 30% of undocumented children live below the poverty line Constant fear of deportation or involuntary family separation Language barriers Adjustment process Source: Educators for Fair Consideration. “ The Case of Undocumented Students”

Right to Education K-12 Education Plyler vs. Doe. US Supreme Court Case. (1982) o Children have the right to elementary and secondary education regardless of their immigration status. o Decision prohibits the charge of tuition fees to undocumented students to compensate for the lost of state funding. Every year 65,000 undocumented students who have grown up in the United States graduate from high school. Sources: Migration Policy Institute: Pyler vs. Doe. guaranteeing-unauthorized-immigrant-childrens-right-attend-us-public Gonzales, Roberto G. Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students. Undocumented Students and the DREAM Act. College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, Apr. 2009

Higher Education Plyler decision does not extend to postsecondary education. There is no federal law that prohibits the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges and universities. Each state enacts its laws to authorize the admission of undocumented students, the type of tuition and the eligibility for state-based financial aid. Public institutions abide by state law and discretionary institutional policies that determine the criteria to qualify for in-state tuition: residency restrictions.

Source: Educators for Fair Consideration. The Case of Undocumented Students:

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Key Facts DACA is a federal immigration policy that grants undocumented youth relief from deportation or from being placed into deportation DACA was approved on June 15, 2012 The programs started on August 15, ,815 applications have been approved ( ) Source: Department of Homeland Security. Eligibility for Deferred Action deferred-actionhttp:// deferred-action U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services %20Data/All%20Form%20Types/DACA/DACA pdf

Direct Benefits Two year temporary legal presence Subject to renewal for additional two years Employment authorization

Indirect Benefits Healthcare benefits Social security number Driver’s license

Eligibility Under the age of 31 Came to the U.S. before turning 16 Continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years (June 15, 2007), preceding the approval of DACA Physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012 Currently in school or military, have graduated from school, earned a GED, or are honorably discharged veterans No felony or a significant misdemeanor conviction

IMPLICATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS DACA students who pursue higher education are a small group of talented and motivated youth. DACA provides an incentive to continue their education and professional pursuits. ◦ DACA gives them hope DACA students may have opportunities to obtain paid internships. DACA students have the possibility to work in their field of choice after graduation.

School Enrollment of Currently Eligible DACA Applicants Source: Migration Policy Institute: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals at the One Year Mark (2013) 1.9 million eligible DACA applicants

DACA Students in Ohio Tuition The Ohio Board of Regents announced in July 2013 that DACA students qualify for in-state-tuition. Before this decision, two and four year public institutions charged international rates to DACA students.

Federal Financial Aid & Scholarships DACA students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid Depend primarily on private scholarships: o Funding is scarce o U.S Citizenship or legal permanent residence required

Golden Door Scholars Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Dream/US Scholarship Que Llueva Cafe Scholarship – Chicano Organizing & Research in Education Chin: Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship Power Through Knowledge Scholarship Source: Educators for Fair Consideration Scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or legal residency National Scholarships

Scholarships Lulac scholarships Other sources: Ohio Latino Affairs Commission ◦ Scholarship opportunities Scholarship opportunities

CONTEXTUAL REALITIES

Our Experience with DACA Students… DACA students ◦ Avoid scholarship programs (documentation) ◦ See limited job options ◦ See unsurmountable college costs ◦ Lack confidence and trust ◦ Have limited knowledge/help from supportive parents ◦ LOSE MOTIVATION DACA students seek meaningful work and/or means to afford college.

College and Career Readiness Challenge for Hispanics Financial Aid College Search Applications

Solutions College and Career 101 series ◦ Workshops about opportunities for DACA eligible students. Alliances with companies ◦ Paid internships ◦ FT jobs ◦ Tuition reimbursement Identify private scholarships ◦ Universities ◦ Foundations

What we've learned so far… One Size Does NOT Fit All Customized and personalized services for Hispanic DACA students ◦ Creative solutions in order to support transition to a successful productive life after graduating

ACTION PLAN

ACTION PLAN AT WSU Accessibility to admission policy and process for DACA students What other universities are doing First point of contact for undocumented students at Wright State Office responsible for the admission process Office responsible for residency classification for tuition purposes Create a database of scholarships and opportunities Measure enrollment, retention and graduation rates