Working with Undocumented StudentsEssentials of Professional DevelopmentFort Bend ISDOctober 2016

Ann MaranoCollege Bound Advisor, Irma L. Rangel YWLS

THANK YOU

Tania Johnson-RachkoskieNACAC Director of Education and Training

Crystal NewbyNACAC Assistant Director of Education and Training

Aliza J. GilbertCollege Counselor, Highland Park HS (Illinois)

Jessica A. Quintana HessDirector of Admissions

Lycoming College

Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

• Part of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network

• Public magnet school in Dallas ISD

• 560 young women in grades 6 through 12

• 70 Seniors in the Class of 2017/2021

• 90% Pell Grant Eligible

• 96% Underrepresented

• 85% First Generation

• 10% Dreamer/DACAmented

Language and TerminologyUndocumented – Lacking appropriate documentation to establish permanent residency• Technically DACA students are still undocumented

Unauthorized – Lacking authorization to be present and/or living in the United States

DACAmented – undocumented students with DACA status

Dreamers – youth who would benefit from enactment of the U.S. Dream Act

Generation 1.5 – Current conversations, especially in research

Illegals – Dehumanizing and demonizing term

Who is undocumented?

Any individual currently in the United States who:

• Entered without inspection

• Entered with false documents

• Entered on a legal visa but the visa has since expired

Who are our undocumented students?

• Students who immigrated recently with parents and all are undocumented

• Students who immigrated recently without parents and are here with “guardians” (Homeless assessment as needed)

• Students who immigrated recently unaccompanied to reunite with parents

• Students who immigrated at a very early age with parents and all are undocumented (Dreamers)

Why are we talking about this? • Many undocumented students experience

discrimination and prejudice from high school and college faculty and staff, either due to ignorance or personal biases (Castro-Salazar & Bagley, 2010; Pérez, Cortés et al., 2010)

• Teachers and Counselors are often not the primary source of college information (Muñoz, 2008)

• Students who suceed in higher education credit high school and college agents for their encouragement and guidance (Abrego & Gonzales, 2010: Perez Huber & Malagon 2007)

The undocumented student experience

The psychological impacts of immigration status:

• Constant fear of deportation

• Secrecy and trust

• Higher levels of stress due to financial barriers

• Anxiety about the future

• Depression, substance use/abuse and suicidal ideation

Dra. Aurora Chang, Ph.D & Padraic Stanley, MSW

Share the Dream Conference 2015

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

DACA Details

• Formal Application with supporting documentation required

• Protects from deportation (2 years and can be renewed)

• Allows recipient to obtain a work permit, a social security number and driver’s license (in some states – Texas allows)

• IS NOT a pathway to citizenship or permanent residency

• DOES NOT make students eligible for federal financial aid

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals(DACA)• Arrived in the United States before reaching 16th birthday• Continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the

present time• Under age 31 as of June 15, 2012• Never had a lawful immigration status on/before June 15, 2012 or

lawful immigration or parole status that expired as of June 15, 2012• Currently in school, have graduated or obtained certificate of

completion from high school, earned GED or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States

• No felony, significant misdemeanor or 3 or more misdemeanors and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

• Physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making request for consideration of deferred action

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Postsecondary Context

• Fewer than 10% of undocumented students attend college immediately after high school (Gonzales, 2007)

• Fewer than half of all undocumented adults ages 18 – 24 with a high school degree have attended any college (Passel & Cohn, 2009)

• Most undocumented students who pursue higher ed will enroll in a community college due to cost (Abrego 2008, Castro-Salazar & Bagley 2010, Perez huber & Malagon 2007)

K-16 Educational Opportunities

• Plyler v.Doe (1982) grants undocumented students the right to a K-12 education

• Right does not extend to post-secondary education

• No federal law specifically prohibits undocumented students from attending a public college or university

• Private colleges have the right to admit or deny any student

• State legislation and policies both support and restrict access

Things to consider when choosing a college

• Friendly versus unfriendly states• Travel restrictions• Campus climate• Knowledgeable admission staff• Support on campus (student activities, residence

life, counseling & career services)• College costs and aid opportunities• Don’t just assume community college is the only

option

Challenges completing applications

• Request for social security number

• Citizenship question

• Paying application fee and/or fee waivers

• Dilemma regarding disclosure of undocumented status

• Some colleges assign international status

Challenges applying for financial aid and scholarships

• Uncertainty regarding form completion

- CSS Profile (some private colleges)

- Institutional Forms

- Paper FAFSA (per college direction)

- TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)

• Confusion regarding institutional policies on aid and eligibility for merit scholarships

Texas Senate Bill 1528(Noriega Bill / House Bill 1403) • Applies to public universities and colleges in Texas and

many private institutions • Qualifies undocumented students for Texas resident

tuition AND state financial aid if they meet all of the following criteria

• Graduated from a Texas high school or received GED in Texas

• Resided in Texas 36 months leading up to high school graduation or receipt of GED

• Resided in Texas 12 months prior to college enrollment• Student provides Affidavit stating s/he will apply to

become a permanent resident at earliest opportunity s/he is eligible to do so

Apply Texas www.applytexas.org

• Used to apply to all public institutions and many private institutions in Texas

• Student should select “U.S. Freshman”

• Use zeroes for SSN: DACA students may list SSN per college direction

• Answer truthfully about country of birth, citizenship and visa status

• Questions are asked to determine Texas Residency (SB 1528) for admission and tuition/fee purposes

Common Application• Used by over 600 different colleges and

universities

• DACA students select “Other” for citizenship status

• Select "I do not hold a current valid U.S. non-immigrant" from the "Currently held United States visa" selection

• No other fields will be required

• Non-DACA student select “Other” for citizenship status and list country of citizenship

• All students should inform each college of their status

TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)

• Students who meet the requirements for SB

1528 are eligible for state financial aid ONLY

• TEXAS Grant

• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program

• Texas Public Educational Grant

• Application available online at

www.collegeforalltexans.com

• Students must submit parent and student (if

applicable) income tax information

TASFA• Paper TASFA should be sent to the financial aid

office with supporting documentation (usually

copies of the income tax return or income tax

transcript)

• Student should meet priority financial aid

deadlines

• DACA students should provide SSN – Do not use

ITIN

• Parent citizenship status does not impact student

ability to be awarded Texas state and

institutional aid

FASFA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

• DACA students may file the FAFSA online

www.fafsa.ed.gov but should only do so if a

college directs them too

• Some colleges will accept a paper FAFSA

• This does not qualify student for federal

financial aid

• Is used to determine eligibility for institutional

financial aid

• Student should provide SSN, not ITIN

CSS PROFILE

• Required by some colleges and universities

(mostly private)

• Used to determine eligibility for institutional

financial aid

• Sponsored by the College Board

• Fee is charged (waivers are available)

• https://student.collegeboard.org/css-

financial-aid-profile

• DACA should use SSN and others may enter

000-00-0000

Scholarships

• Undocumented students are eligible

• The criteria are determined by scholarship

donor or funding agency

• Verify eligibility criteria

• Requirements for university and college

scholarship programs vary

Role of school counselor

• Outreach to teachers, other students, alumni, parents• Create opportunities for students to self-disclose status• Revise presentations to include all terms:

citizens, permanent residents, undocumented students• Post Dreamer friendly information• Get out the message that college is possible• Include relevant information in all printed materials• Educate all faculty, staff and other stakeholders that

undocumented students can go to college• Help students research college admission and financial aid

policies and opportunities• Stay updated regarding college admission and financial aid

landscape for undocumented students

Ann Maranoc151@dallasisd.org@CollegeBoundTx