Bridges to Success: Ensuring the Success of Undocumented Students in Your Program and onto Employability

Rae Brendecke + Liliana Diaz

TOPICS

Introductions

Quick Facts about DACA

What is DACA? What is ASSET?

DACA/ASSET & Federal Financial Aid

A Student’s Perspective

Implications for Employment

What you can do!

Introductions

Who are you?What department are you from?What do you want/need to know about DACA?

Quick Facts:

86% of 643,000 applications accepted have been approved as of March 2014• As of 2015, 24,535 individuals applied for initial or renewal

of DACA status in CO. 20,425 were accepted. • If denied DACA, individuals cannot appeal.

77% are Mexican, 4% Salvadoran, 3% or less from other countries

What is Deferred Action? On June 15, 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is established under the executive branch’s enforcement discretion authority (discretionary procedure).

DACA is NOT a law.

It grants DACA individuals: 1. Protection from deportation for students ONLY2. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)3. Ability to apply for SSN

What it doesn’t provide:4. NO government benefits (i.e. health care, federal financial aid)5. Pathway to citizenship

In Colorado, DACA students can receive a driver’s license.

Who can qualify for DACA?

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;3. Continuous residence in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to present time;4. Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for

consideration of deferred action with USCIS;5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June

15, 2012;6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have

obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or other equivalent State-authorized exam in the U.S., or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed forces of the U.S. and

7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and o not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

8. $465 application fee

Colorado Specific - ASSET

Colorado ASSET will allow eligible students to pay in-state tuition at Colorado’s public colleges and universities as long as they meet the certain qualifications. We have a chart that explains the qualifications or you can find out by answering a few questions.

A Colorado student can qualify if they:

1. Have attended a Colorado high school for three years right before they graduated2. Been admitted to a participating college within twelve months of graduating high school3. Signed an affidavit, if not legally present in the U.S., saying that they are currently seeking or

will seek legal status as soon as they are eligible.

Students who qualify for ASSET do not automatically qualify for DACA, and vice versa. A student may qualify for one but not the other, qualify for both, or qualify for neither.

DACA vs. ASSET

DACA/ASSET & Federal Financial Aid

DACA/ASSET/undocumented students do NOT qualify for any federal financial aid. ACC institutional scholarships are available to all students regardless of immigration status, but as a policy ACC does require a FAFSA to be filed.

A DACA/ASSET or undocumented student can fill out a FAFSA, even if they will not receive any benefits.

Payment plans are crucial!

A Student’s Experience

Implications for Employment Students with DACA receive a Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

• EAD (I-766) qualifies as a suitable document under “List A” of an I-9 form, don’t need to provide other forms of identification.

• Students may need help navigating certification/licensing processes – not all licenses are open to DACA recipients.

• DACA recipients will not be eligible to work for any position requiring U.S. citizenship – which is typically required for work with the Federal government or for programs receiving Federal funding.

DACA recipients are qualified to apply for a Social Security Number. This can help them:• Help obtain a state ID card and be an alternate form of ID. • Make it possible for an employer to do a background check, which may be necessary for

certain jobs. (This can also be done with the EAD.) • Make it easier to apply for loans, rent an apartment. • Makes it possible to properly complete a W-4 federal tax withholding form.

Things to keep in mind: • Background Checks, Credit Check, MVR, Healthcare Insurance

Identification Documents

Employment Authorization Card (EAD)

CO Driver’s license for DACA recipients

What can you do?

• Avoid discriminatory practice or language• U.S. Citizens, International Students, DACA and ASSET students should all

be eligible for ACC programs. However their status can impact whether or not they are eligible for employment/licensure in the field.

• Create a safe space and know your campus resources• DACA does not necessarily allow freedom to travel, access to healthcare,

and is only good for 2 years.

• Be aware of practices (or events) of your program. Do they require students to have certain forms of identification?• This may include: background checks, professional licenses, trips off

campus, internships

“Results from a Nationwide Survey of DACA Recipients Illustrate the Program’s Impact”, www.americanprogress.org

“Results from a Nationwide Survey of DACA Recipients Illustrate the Program’s Impact”, www.americanprogress.org

“Results from a Nationwide Survey of DACA Recipients Illustrate the Program’s Impact”, www.americanprogress.org

Questions?

1. US Citizenship and Immigration Services • “Frequently Asked Questions”• “Reports and Studies”

2. “5 facts about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program” - Pew Research3. United We Dream - http://unitedwedream.org/4. Colorado ASSET - http://www.ciccoloradoasset.org/item/117-who-qualifies5. National Immigration Law Center - www.nilc.org6. “Results from a Nationwide Survey of DACA Recipients Illustrate the Program’s Impact”,

www.americanprogress.org

References and Resources

Contact

Rae BrendeckeCareer Counselor, Career and Transfer Centerrae.brendecke@arapahoe.edu, M2015, x5705

Liliana DiazSenior Student Recruitment Specialist, Student Recruitment and Outreachliliana.diaz@arapahoe.edu, M , x5