BC DREAMERS

Jeannie Parent and Anna Poetker

This Presentation Will Discuss:

1. Who are our Undocumented Students?2. What’s new for this student population?3. What remains the same for this student

population?4. What can we do to help our

undocumented students?

Who Are Our Undocumented Students?

In order to be eligible for AB540, students must have:

Attended a California high school for 3 or more years Graduated from a California high school with a high

school diploma or attained the equivalent (GED); and Filed an affidavit with their intended college or

university stating their eligibility under AB540 and intention of applying for a lawful immigration status as soon as they are eligible.

California Dream Act

What is it? California Assembly Bills 130 & 131 are laws that increase

access to financial aid for undocumented students attending

four-year universities and community colleges in California. Who is eligible?

Those eligible for AB 540 are eligible for AB 130 & 131.

What benefits are available?CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES Board of Governors Fee Waiver Community College Institutional Scholarships Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

What is it? “Deferred Action”: the Department of Homeland Security has deemed the

individual a low priority for immigration enforcement and has chosen to exercise its discretion and not deport the individual.

Deferred action is/does NOT: permanent. It is temporary relief and may be revoked at any time.   amnesty or immunity.   provide lawful immigration status a path to a green card or citizenship  extend to any family members of the person granted deferred action.

What benefits are available? Driver’s License Work Permit Social Security number Temporary relief from deportation

DACA: Who is eligible?

Applicants must : be 15-30 years old to apply. be under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012 have arrived in the U.S. before you turned 16. be continuously present in the U.S. for a minimum of 5

years. must have been present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012. fulfill one of the following requirements:

are currently in high school.  have earned a GED or high school diploma. have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed

forces.

What Barriers Still Exist?

Dramatic Shift in Self-Image and Identity Feelings of Blame, Stigma, and

Discrimination Fear of Contact and Deportation Personal Loss and Distance Vulnerability and Exploitability

Dramatic Shift in Self-Image and Identity

K-12 EXPERIENCES LATE ADOLESCENCE

“As undocumented children make transitions into late adolescence, they move from spaces of belonging to rejection, from inclusion to exclusion, from de facto legal, to ‘illegal.’” --Roberto Gonzalez, University of Chicago

The Transition to Adulthood

K-12 education is free and legal

Most institutions in childhood do not require legal status

Late adolescence triggers legal limitations:WorkingDriving Financial AidNightlife

Succession of blocked opportunities

Fear, stigma, changed social patterns

Forced decisions—reveal or conceal

Physical/ emotional manifestations

Protected Status

Transition to Adulthood

Awake to a Nightmare

From “Moving Beyond the Single Story,” Roberto Gonzalez, University of Chicago

Feelings of Blame, Stigma, and Discrimination

Undocumented youth face higher levels of stress and depression than their native peers.

Perceived as outsiders Remain marginal members of society; ‘second class’ status Made the object of deviance and social stigma Blamed for the social & economic worries of the US Derogatory language Wrongfully portrayed as exploiting public assistance

programs and taking jobs from US citizens Unwelcoming environment and hostility

May result in shame, guilt, fear, insecurity, need for secrecy or to pass as documented

Negatively impacts self-worth and self-esteem

Fear of Contact and Deportation

Constant fear of being deported and separated from their family and established networks. Pulled over while driving City check-points ICE raids at place of employment/home Loved ones being detained

Fear becomes integrated into daily life and shapes perception of reality.

Fear of being deported increases one's tendency to be in poor health

Avoid and fear contact with police officials (and other ‘authority figures’)

Personal Loss and Distance

Not able to travel outside of the US Cases of emergency, family deaths, or

family events

May feel a sense of loss for: connection to home country their sense of belonging and identity family relationships and friendships

Vulnerability and Exploitability

High potential targets for exploitable situations Undocumented immigrants are more likely to:

receive lower, uncertain, or withheld wages maintain low employment status be subject to blackmail and pressure to work for unjust

wages experience continuously oppressive working conditions Limit access to health care, despite need

Instability in job security and prolonged poor health can manifest into stress and household tension.

What Can WE Do?

DO NOT make assumptions about who is undocumented ask youth to self-identify

DO make resources and services available to all youth modify intake forms to be undocumented youth

friendly identify central staff members to be the contact

person on services for undocumented youth. keep up to date applicable legislation, policy, college

and applicable information

Be Encouraging

Encourage undocumented youth to: Advance their education; inform them

about their possibilities Connect with other students that share

similar experiences Collectively cope with stressors Develop resilience by establishing

support and social networks

Be Sensitive

Many cannot access services that require a social security number

Many encounter transportation issues Not all students are outspoken about

their immigration status Be conscious of your language and

projections Illegal, alien, criminal

More Resources

IDEAS at UCLA http://ideasla.org/index/

Educators For Fair Consideration http://e4fc.org/home.html

BC Dreamers http://bcdreamers.wordpress.com/

Thank You

For Supporting Our BC Dreamers!