1. Serving the Undocumented Student Population
DREAMers:
Serving the Undocumented Student Population
Presented by
Roberto Suarez
Guidance Counselor
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Website:
IACAC Summer Institute
July 24, 2012

2. About Me
Roberto Suarez is a Guidance Counselor at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. His previous positions were held at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, where he counseled gifted students in a residential setting, and Lewis University, where he served as an Assistant Director of Admission and recruited high school students from districts within the Chicagoland areas and from abroad. 
Roberto is a first generation college graduate who has worked in the fields of education, business, law, and public relations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology, along with master degrees in business administration and school counseling. Currently, Roberto is enrolled in the educational doctorate program at DePaul University. Over the past several years, Roberto has presented on topics regarding undocumented students, multicultural counseling, counseling gifted students, writing letters of recommendation, and organizational leadership.

3. Immigration: E Pluribus Unum
“America was indebted to
immigration for her settlement and prosperity.”
– James Madison
Joseph Pulitzer (1868) Albert Einstein (1940) Alexander Graham Bell (1915)
Born in Hungary Born in Germany Born in Scotland

4. Why is this issue important?
There are approximately 1.5 million undocumented students in the U.S. under the age of 18 (U.S. Census 2000)
Approximately 50,000 to 70,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (Center for Urban Economic Development, 2003)
Approximately 3,500 undocumented students graduate from Chicago high schools each year (Center for Urban Economic Development, 2003)
40% of all undocumented students live in California (CHIRLA)
In 1997, U.S. acquired a $50 billion surplus from taxes paid by immigrants (National Academy of Sciences & National Research Council, 1997)

5. Green Cards and Visas
According to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant
and Refugee Rights:
Existing avenues for gaining legal status are fairly restrictive
Generally, someone must be sponsored by a close relative who is already a citizen or resident or by an employer
Even if a student has a close relative to sponsor them, they still will need to wait several years to reach their turn in line to apply
Undocumented students are not considered “foreign students” and student visas are not available. If an undocumented student travels to their native country to apply for a visa, they may end up confined outside the U.S.

6. Undocumented Student Updates
DREAM Act The DREAM Act is a conditional bill that would allow for undocumented students to become permanent U.S. residents . It was most recently voted down in May Illinois DREAM Act Signed in August 2011, the IL DREAM Act is a privately funded account to hold donations for grants and scholarships for undocumented students. The commission is finalizing an application process and should be available to students of the class of Find more information at

7. Undocumented Student Updates
Obama Executive Order In June 2012, President Obama issued and executive order to allow DREAMers a chance at the American dream, even if it is temporary. He halted the deportation of at least 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children. Students need to provide documentation that they were in the U.S. before the age of 16. Find more information at In-State Tuition Laws (11 states) Texas (2001) Oklahoma (2003) New Mexico (2005) California (2001) Kansas (2004) Nebraska (2006) New York (2002) Washington (2004) Wisconsin (2009) Utah (2002) Illinois (2004)

8. Counseling Undocumented Student Characteristics
Will typically not share their situation without having a sense of trust first
May not fully understand their situation or even know if they are considered undocumented or illegal
Can sometimes feel a sense of anger toward their parents because of their decision
Can sometimes feel a sense of anger toward their peers who are U.S. citizens because they feel they take their citizenship for granted
Can display signs of depression, asocial, or even anti-social behavior because they feel helpless with their situation

9. Advising The counselor should
Build trust with students you suspect are undocumented before approaching the situation
Allow the student to express their opinions and frustrations without placing personal judgment
Encourage the student to visit your office as often as possible
Connect the student(s) with support networks (e.g., churches, organizations, and advocates of their cause)
Contact college representatives to advocate for as much financial assistance that is possible

10. Advising The counselor should
Encourage the student to stay in school to maintain eligibility for In-State tuition benefits and the DREAM Act
Explain that a U.S. education is worth a lot of weight in other countries, which may open opportunities in their native country
Communicate that a community college may be their best option
Explain that they cannot be employed legally after college graduation in their field of study
Communicate to the student that they may want to consider working with an immigration lawyer

11. In Memory of Brisenia Flores

12. Resources
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles College Board IACAC (College Advising for Undocumented Students) Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Illinois is Home Campaign League of United Latin American Citizens Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund Masuda Funai National Immigration Law Center National Association of College Admission Counseling Pew Hispanic Center The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute

13. Questions