working with undocumented students - wacac
TRANSCRIPT
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Working with
Undocumented
Students
+ Presenters
Jane Slater, Sequoia High School, Redwood City
Lorenzo Gamboa, Santa Clara University
Student, UC Santa Cruz
Student, Santa Clara University
Student, Sequoia High School
Louise Gill, College Track
+ Agenda
Resources for your undocumented
population
History of policy and legislation
around undocumented students
postsecondary access
Creating a supportive school culture
+ Resources
E4FC www.e4fc.org
Scholarship Lists
Student Guides
Educator Guides
Parent Guides
Advocacy Materials
+ Resources
YOU!
• Understand your AB 540 population
• Study in-state tuition/college-specific policies
• Provide scholarship information
• Identify and involve role models
• Refer to legal service providers
• Create a safe community and be an ally
+ Understanding Your
Undocumented Student Population
• Range of time in country
• Family members with different status
• Assume there is at least one undocumented student
in each of your classes
+ Understanding Your
Undocumented Student Population
Students’ understanding varies:
Those who know their status and advocate for themselves
Those who don’t know… and find out filling out FAFSA or
other applications
Those whose parents want them to hide it
Those who see no hope & have given up
Those who just think things will work out
+ Overview: Undocumented
Population
Estimated 1.8 million K-12
500,000 Students 9-12
65,000 Graduate
High School
5,000
Pursue Higher Ed
Few graduate
Source: Pew Hispanic Center 2008
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
Federal
FERPA - 1975
Family Educational and Privacy Act
Protects privacy of student records at
educational institutions
No risk for deportation just by applying to
or enrolling in college
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
Federal
Plyler v. Doe - 1982
1982 Supreme Court ruling
K-12 education is a fundamental, protected right
All children living in the United States regardless of
citizenship or residency status
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
Federal
The Federal Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
(PRWORA) - 1996
Ineligible to receive federal aid
Prevents states from offering public benefits unless
state passes a statute
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
Federal
Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA)
- 1996
States can’t extend benefits on basis of residency
unless offered to U.S. citizens….sec 505
However, no federal law prohibits the advancement of
undocumented students into higher education
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
State
Varies by State
In-state Tuition (CA, CT, IL, KS, MD, NE, NM, NY, OK, TX,
UT, WA, and WI)
Out-of-state Tuition (AK, AZ, CO, GA, NC, VA)
Not even allow entrance (SC, AL)
All others are in between
“Residency” = “Intent” & “Duration” - Michael Olivas, legal scholar
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History of Policies and Legislation
- State
Most states with in-state policies require students to:
Attend high school within that state from two to four years
Have graduated from high school or gained equivalent of (i.e., GED, proficiency exam)
File affidavit with university stating intent to pursue legal residence
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History of Policies and Legislation -
State
In-state tuition:
Only reduces the cost of tuition
Does not provide financial aid (NM, TX, & UT are exceptions)
Does not provide a path to residency/citizenship
Affects public universities mostly; private institutions everyone
pays the same tuition
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
California
AB 540 - 2001
Allows certain non-resident students (including
undocumented students) to receive in-state tuition
in California
Students must complete at least 3 years of (and
graduate from) high school in CA
AB 540 = undocumented
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
California
CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT - 2011
AB 130 & AB 131
Passed in 2011
Will allow AB 540 students to access public and
private funds to support their college educations
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
California
AB 130
Grants undocumented students access to state and
non-state funded resources to finance education
Private scholarships administered through CA public
colleges & universities
Effective January 2012
Contact individual financial aid offices for
school-specific awards
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
California
AB 131 Grants undocumented students access to state-
funded financial aid funds (Cal Grant)
Institutional grants
Board of Governors (BoG) fee waivers at CCs
State financial aid (Cal Grants)
Effective Jan 2013 (Cal Grants 2013-2014)
+ History of Policies and Legislation -
California
Challenges to the CA Dream Act
AB 130-Funds do not have to be made available to
undocumented students
AB 131-FAFSA is required for Cal Grant…How will
undocumented students gain access?
+ History of Policies and Legislation
– Federal DREAM Act!
Federal Dream Act: IF SIGNED into law:
Would grant qualified* immigrant students the opportunity to obtain legal status and thus enable them to pursue higher education and contribute fully to the national economy legally.
Downside: only a temporary solution and students would still be limited on financial resources.
*Must have completed at least 2 years of an educational degree or have served in the US military and have been in the US 5 years prior to the signing of the bill.
+ School Culture - Recognizing your
school’s culture with respect to
undocumented students
What Students See and Hear
Positive Negative
Staff publicly addresses issue The issue is avoided
DREAM club Negative comments
Available resources Staff lacks knowledge
Staff attempting students’ native language
+ School Culture - Recognizing your
school’s culture with respect to
undocumented students
What Staff Should See and Hear
Topics related to undocumented students on staff meeting agendas
Student presentations to staff
Legal expert visits/ guest speakers
Visible info for AB540 students
Posted scholarships not requiring SSN (Naviance)
Go-to people on staff. Public allies you can send students to.
Public conversations (with students & staff) about different immigration status
Respect for confidentiality
+ School Culture - Starting a Club
1. Get the students there
2. Enlist staff allies
3. Have specific projects to work on (short term goal
momentum)
4. Develop long-term goals
5. Develop students’ leadership abilities within the club
6. Publicize
7. Connect to community resources
+ Sequoia High School Dream Club: Get Students There!
Invite students personally
Include documented students
Encourage members to bring friend(s)
Present to classes
Announce in daily bulletin
Collaborate with counselors
+ Sequoia High School Dream Club: Enlist Staff Allies
Gain administration support
Present yourself as a resource to staff on these
issues
Use your personal connections on staff
Connect with staff who can share their knowledge,
time & resources
+ Sequoia High School Dream Club: Make long- and short-term goals
Annual Event
Presentations at Middle Schools
Presentations to parents
Participation at community events
San Mateo County Youth Conference, Teens In Action Community
Showcase
Fundraising for Scholarships
Political Activism
Rally in support of Dream Act, postcard campaign on Back To School Night
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Sequoia High School Dream Club: Make the Club Visible
Posters
Yearbook page
T-shirts
School newspaper
San Mateo Daily Journal
Staff presentations
+
YEAR
BOOK
PAGE
+ Sequoia High School Dream Club: Connect to Community Resources
Immigrant Youth Action Team Sequoia High School
Redwood City 2020 Redwood City Public
Library
Fair Oaks Community Center Boys & Girls Club of the
Peninsula
International Institute of the Bay Area Alumni
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Sequoia District Migrant Youth Program
Cañada College student group and Upward Bound
+ Partnering with Community
Groups Benefits of Building Community
Partnerships:
Partners and supporters who share your mission,
work with same population, and can spread your
message
More resources (financial and in-kind) to help
grow and expand your current efforts
A greater network of individual allies, mentors
and partners who build meaningful relationships
and experiences with undocumented youth
+ Broadening your Community
Partnerships
Who in your community shares your mission or
serves undocumented youth in some way?
What are they already doing that can contribute to
your efforts?
When can you get together and learn about each
others’ work and learn how you can both benefit?
Where can these partners experience what you’re
doing and see the impact their potential
contribution can make?
How will you make concrete commitments for
working together?
+ Creating a Supportive School
Culture What can you do as part of your every day behaviors
to make all students feel safe?
Think of one undocumented student with whom
you work. What is one concrete thing you can do
as his or her ally to show your support?
+ CONTACT US
Jane Slater- Sequoia High School, Redwood City
Lorenzo Gamboa, Santa Clara University
Louise Gill, College Track
Websites: www.E4FC.org