1. Undocumented Students
Huynh, R., Mendoza, D. Muñoz, M., and Quilizapa, C.

3. Workshop Goals
Develop an AWARENESS about the needs, concerns, and issues of undocumented students.
Increase KNOWLEDGE about relevant immigration laws impacting students and related student issues and challenges.
Develop culturally proficient SKILLS to work more effectively with undocumented students.

4. Awareness
Activity #1

5. The DREAM Act uses taxpayer dollars for scholarships and grants for undocumented students…
Myth
Fact: Undocumented youth adjusting to lawful permanent resident status are only eligible for federal student loans (which must be paid back), and federal work-study programs, where they must work for any benefit they receive. They are not eligible for federal grants, such as Pell Grants.

6. You can be denied admission to a California college or university based on your immigration status…
Myth
Fact: You are not required to show a state issued ID and Social Security card to apply for admission to a California college or university.

7. Myth US citizens will loose their place in college to
under-qualified, undocumented immigrants…
Myth
Fact: Undocumented immigrants represent less than 2% of all high school graduates, not enough to significantly affect access by others.
The DREAM Act does not provide immigrant students any special treatment, just allows them to be judged on equal terms with their class mates. If a child does well in school and qualifies to get into college, they should be allowed the opportunity to attend.

8. The DREAM Act allows undocumented students to pay cheaper tuition than U.S. citizens…
Myth
Fact: The DREAM Act gives states the option to offer in-state tuition to students registered under the DREAM Act, but it does NOT guarantee cheaper tuition. At most, the DREAM act allows undocumented students to access the same benefits as their peers.

9. Knowledge

10. The Facts...
An undocumented person is a non-citizen who entered the US without legal immigration status or who stayed after the period he/she was authorized to be here.
Each year about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from US high schools.
40% of all undocumented students live in CA.

11. The Facts... Not eligible for…
State and Federal financial aid and support programs
State Driver’s License
Social Security number
Work authorization
Paid internships/assistantships
Graduate school testing

12. Current Law (AB 540) Signed into law in 2001.
Authorizes any student, including undocumented students, who meet specific criteria to pay in-state tuition at CA public colleges and universities.
Requirements:
Attended a CA high school for 3+ years
Graduated from a CA high school or equivalent
AB 540 Affidavit

15. Federal Dream Act
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act
Provides a pathway to citizenship by giving students conditional legal status for 6 years if:
Entered the U.S. before the age of 16
Earned a HS diploma, GED, or have been accepted into a 2 or 4 year institution of Higher Ed upon application
Lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years before the date of the legislation is enacted
Display good moral character, generally meaning that the student has no criminal record

16. Federal Dream Act
Legal status becomes permanent once 1 of the following requirements is met:
Received a 2 or 4 year degree from a Higher Ed institution, or must have maintained good academic standing for at least 2 years while working towards a degree.
Served tg in the U.S. military for 2 years.

17. California Dream Act AB130
Signed into law in 2011, effective January 2012
Allows students to apply for private scholarships
AB131
Signed into law in 2011, effective January 2013
Apply for state fee waiver, institutional aid, and CAL Grants

18. CA Dreaming…

19. “Dreamer” College Experience

20. Skills

21. Culturally Proficient Ally Strategies
Acknowledge individual and group differences
Avoid assumptions about a student’s status based on their race, ethnicity, accent or appearance
Refuse to tolerate derogatory or anti-immigrant jokes, name calling, or remarks
Become informed about the rights afforded by law to undocumented students
Listen openly and do not interrogate the student’s immigration status
Create a climate of trust
Be aware of your own assumptions about undocumented students

22. When a student confides in you…
What you should not say:
What you should say:
Are you an illegal alien?
How did your family get here?
Tell me about your illegal status.
So what kind of life do you live?
I can’t believe you are an illegal!
Is there any way I can help you?
Financial resources
Mentoring
Laws-AB540, DREAM Act
Legal referrals
College is an option for you.

23. Student Scenarios Activity #2

24. What will YOU do?

25. “Our attitude toward immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women to rise as far as their talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.” Robert F. Kennedy