1. Working With and For Undocumented Students
Building Relationships with Undocumented Student to Foster Their Success
Kathe

2. Jared Ibarra: Family Liaison
Born in Mexico City
Migrated to US at 5 years old
WWU: Human Services and Rehabilitation in 2014
Substitute Teacher--Nutrition Educator--Latino Admissions Outreach Whatcom Community College--
Bellingham Public Schools
DACA Recipient

3. Learning Outcomes
1. Attendees will be able to define and understand what identifies an individual as an undocumented student
2. Attendees will learn of concerns, barriers, and needs of undocumented students in systems they encounter.
3. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for working for and with undocumented students to support their personal and academic success.
Tanya

4. Defining an Undocumented Student
An undocumented student is a foreign national who:
Entered the United States without inspection or with fraudulent documents; or
2. Entered legally as a nonimmigrant but then violated the terms of his or her status and remained in the United States without authorization (as defined by the National Immigration Law Center).
Federal laws provide free K-12 education
(Pyler VS Doe: 1982)
Isabel

5. Undocumented Students
HB-1079
Eligible For In State Tuition
WASFA
Eligible for State Need Grant
DACA
Eligible For 2 Year Temporary Work Permit and Amnesty
College Bound
Eligible for Tuition Cost Support
No Eligibility
Most Vulnerable
Tanya

6. What Have You Noticed In Your Community?
The current political climate has caused a ripple effect…
What have you been noticing/hearing/or seeing in your community or school?
What ‘’alternative facts’’ have you heard about undocumented students?
“I am a citizen, but that doesn’t mean I am okay”
All undocumented students are from Mexico
All newcomer and ELL students are undocumented
Undocumented students cannot go to college
Undocumented students cannot get financial aid or scholarships
Only Undocumented citizens are currently affected by political climate
Undocumented students aren’t motivated to succeed

7. Undocumented Population
11.5 to 12 million undocumented immigrants of all ages living in the United States
1.8 million undocumented children under the age of 18 living in the United States
65,000 undocumented students who graduate each year from high school in the United States
7,000 – 13,000 undocumented students who are enrolled in college throughout the United States
Have lived in the United States most of their lives
Been brought to the U.S. by their parents at a young age
Learned English and think of themselves as American
Attended elementary, middle, and high school in this country
Many excelled academically in high school and want to pursue a college education
Currently lack a way to become legal residents or citizens in the U.S.
*Pertains to College Bound undocumented students
Jared

8. Layers of Being an Undocumented Student
Microsystem
Isabel
Personal
Mesosystem
Community
Exosystem

9. Identifying Needs and Barriers
Education and Financial Support
Personal
Environment
Academic Support
Mental Health Counseling
Political Climate
WASFA/Scholarship
Leadership Development
Safety
Career Exploration
Validation/Acceptance/ Support/ Respect
Immigration Policies
Academic/Immigration Expenses
Advocacy
Media Coverage
Connecting with Educators
Self-Identity
Unity
Job Opportunities
Clarity of Future
Access to Legal Information
Kathe

10. Working With and For Undocumented Students
Building Trust
Patience in Building Relationship
Be Visible and Create A Safe Zone
Be an Active Listener
Share Your Story
Identifying Needs
Very Individualized
Know the Process and Seek PD
Inform of Resources
Identify Allies, Build a Team and a Network
Personal Support
Know when to Guide and Decide
Empowerment and Advocacy
‘Si Se Puede’
Support, Mentor, and Create Opportunities
Referrals to Community or School Resources
Going Above and Beyond
Know Your Limits
Family Engagement
Host Community Events
Create and Participate in committees
Isabel

11. Building Trust Embracing my life and getting to know my community
Welcoming students
Taking the initiative outside of school hours
Being authentic
Creating healthy relationship boundaries
Being intentional and flexible
Jared
Student Quote: “Not even my Latino friends know I am undocumented.”

12. Identifying Needs Keeping pace with constant changes
Keeping students informed
Educating staff
Compile resources
Partnered w/ local attorney and community resources
Create plans and follow through
Remember: Every student has different needs
Jared
Student quote: “I didn’t realize how much being undocumented affected me until now.”

13. Personal Support DACA application support
College application/WASFA support
Mentorship: Individual, small group, large group
Financial opportunities
Advocating for their rights
Supporting them in academics
Socio-emotional support
College visits and Student Conferences
Jared
Student quote: “Please stop telling us that everything is going to be okay.”

14. Going Above and Beyond Immigration Information Events
Undocumented Support Committee
Undocumented Student Support Group
Transporting Student and Families to Legal Appointments
Work With Community Partners to Fight ICE and Deportations
Meeting With Administrators to Inform of New Policies (travel, etc.)
Professional Development Offerings for Staff
Undocumented Students Met With Superintendent
Connecting HS Students With College Students ‘Blue Group’
Jared
Student quote: “I feel better. I feel stronger. I feel different. I care.”

15. Undocumented Student Feedback
Student Feelings Tension: Varies within each school but the school environment has felt tense and made it difficult to focus on academics. Difficulty to learn: There is a lack of connection with peers and teachers. Need more in class support but are resistant to ask for help or feel like they aren’t supported. They feel this is a consistent cycle they can’t break out of, which impacts their confidence level. Alone: Students feel like they have limited people and places to turn to for help. There is fear for safety. Needs from Teachers and Staff Need to check in more frequently: Whether that is asking if they understand the curriculum or how they are doing, they want teachers to take the initiative to learn more about them. Learn more about their teachers: Want to gain trust and build positive relationships with staff by having them be authentic and share their individual stories. Ethnic Studies: Students want more curriculum they can connect with on a personal level regarding their culture and others around the world. Extra support, extra support, extra support. Things they want community to know WE ARE HERE: People tend not to ‘see’ us but we are here and part of this community. LOVE: We wanted to be loved, love others, and treat everyone equally. Just because we immigrated does not make us any less of a person. WE ARE UNITED: There are many of us and we are all in this together. Student quote: “I am sad because of what is happening, but I am happy because this has brought us together”.
Isabel

16. Family Engagement Department Staff
Director
Family Liaison
Family Liaison
Family Resource Center
Isabel
Interpretation/Translation Coordinator
ELL Advocate

17. Learning Outcomes
1. Attendees will be able to define and understand what identifies an individual as an undocumented student
2. Attendees will learn of concerns, barriers, and needs of undocumented students in systems they encounter.
3. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for working for and with undocumented students to support their personal and academic success.
Tanya

18. Contact Information
Jared Ibarra
Family Liaison

19. Resources Page Executive Order: Governor Inslee I Am Here: Dr. Baker
WASFA Cheat Sheet
Travel Regulations
Rights Pamphlet
Here to Stay: United We Dream