Realizing the DREAM: Advocating for Undocumented Students

1. Realizing the DREAM: Advocating for Undocumented Students

2. Who are undocumented students? • K-12 – In 2002, there were 1.6 million undocumented children under the age of 18 (Passel, et al., 2004) • Middle School & High School – In 2002, approximately 607,000 undocumented students between the ages of 12 and 20 were enrolled in U.S. K-12 classes (AASCU, 2003) • High School Graduates – Every year 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools (Passel, et al., 2004) • College Students – Only about 5-10% of undocumented students who graduate from high school go on to college (Passel, 2003) About 13,000 undocumented high school graduates enroll in public colleges and universities a year (Urban Institute, 2003)

3. Plyler v. Doe In 1982, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) argued Plyler v. Doe before the Supreme Court and won. The court held that the children of undocumented immigrants were protected under the due-process clause of the 14th Amendment and were entitled to a public education.

4. The DREAM Act The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) is bipartisan legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children but who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.

5. What will the DREAM Act do? • Under the DREAM Act, high school graduates, would be permitted to apply for up to 6 years of legal residence conditional status. • During the 6-year period, the student would be required to graduate from a 2-year college, complete at least 2 years towards a 4-year degree, or serve in the U.S. military for at least 2 years. • Permanent residence would be granted at the end of the 6-year period if the student has met these requirements and has continued to maintain good moral character. • The DREAM Act would also eliminate a federal provision that discourages states from providing in-state tuition to their undocumented immigrant student residents, thus restoring full authority to the states to determine state college and university fees.

6. What are the eligibility requirements? Under the DREAM Act, undocumented students would be permitted to obtain legal permanent resident status if they satisfy the following conditions: • Entered the U.S. at age 15 or younger • Lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years at the time the bill becomes law • Show good moral character (no juvenile delinquency record) • Earned high school diploma or GED, or earned admittance to college/university • Under 30 years old on the day the bill is signed into law

7. State Initiatives • To date 10 states have passed legislation to allow undocumented students to enroll in colleges and pay resident fees. • Other states have considered similar bills. Source: Alejandra Rincón, Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: Sí Se Puede! (New York: LFB Scholarly Publishing, 2008).

8. Building a Support Network High school, college or university campus resources: • Identify official campus representative(s) • Identify campus allies (faculty, staff, and students) • Establish student organizations • Establish “safe zones” • Find community organization referrals • Seek reputable (free or low-cost) legal assistance • Conduct campus and community educational forums regarding the DREAM Act and state bills

9. Recommendations • Develop a systematic way to disseminate information and assist undocumented students as they move through high school and college. • Identify allies—counselors and teachers in high schools and colleges to assist students and parents. • Educate undocumented students and their advocates about their post-secondary options. • Educate and assist undocumented students about how to correctly complete college and scholarship applications.

10. Recommendations − Fundraising • Provide useful scholarship lists and applications and assistance in applying for scholarships • Work with scholarship providers in your area to encourage them to offer funding to undocumented students • Help students develop a portfolio • Create your own fund for your students • Start a book loan system for students • Ask professors to donate books to students • Help students find other creative ways to fund their education (e.g., family members, teachers, parents’ employers, local business, large companies) • Support can be more than just financial

11. Recommendations − Networking • Sponsor meetings for students to meet faculty, staff and administrators • Connect undocumented students with advocates and resources on your campus • Create opportunities for students to begin a network of support • Connect families with the parents of undocumented students to begin a network of support • Connect students and families with agencies offering free immigration services

12. General Resources • National Immigration Law Center - www.nilc.org • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund - www.maldef.org • Dream Act Portal - www.dreamact.info • Asian Pacific American Legal Center - apalc.org • Justice for Immigrants - www.justiceforimmigrants.org • Coalition of Higher Education for Immigrant Students -www.cheis.net • The College Board - http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financial-aid/undocumented-students

13. Scholarship Resources • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships.pdf • Latino College Dollars www.latinocollegedollars.org/DIRECTORY.pdf • Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) www.salef.org • Paying for College Student Resource Guide www.house.gov/roybalallard/2007_Student_resource_guide.pdf

14. Presentation developed by… Irma Archuleta - irma.archuleta@evc.edu Josh Bernstein - joshua.bernstein@seiu.org Alfred Herrera - aherrera@college.ucla.edu David Johnston - djohnsto@houstonisd.org Alejandra Rincón - alejandrarincon@swbell.net

15. To learn more about College Board Advocacyand get involved in our work, visit us on the Web: www.collegeboard.com/advocacy