La Union del Pueblo Entero College Acces for Undocumented & DACAmented Students
LUPE Background Founded by Cesar Chavez in 1989 501(c)(3) nonprofit Unique blend of community organizing & social services Employ Membership and Community Organizing to win the benefits of collective action for low income families
Nuestra Membrecía 7000 Members Membership Cost $40 Individual $ 60 Couple (Matrimony) $20 Students or Minors
Membership Benefits First Consultation Free Assistance with wage theft issues Free Citizenship, ESL and GED Classes $2000 Accidental /dismemberment Insurance LUPE membership card is accepted in all county offices as a form of ID
Our Services Immigration Services Income Tax Services ITIN-Individual Tax Identification Number Translations Notary Public Services Referrals
TEXAS COLONIAS
Organizing in the Colonias Issues in the colonias Public Light Drainage Streets Housing Parks Trash School Buses Transportation Poverty House Meetings
Civic Engagement Your Voice-Your Vote Vote with 10
The importance of Voting Drivers License for All Quality Education for All Immigration Reform Work permit and protection from deportation Labor Rights Better wages and gender equality Infraestructure Public Light, Drainage, dignified housing
College Access 1. Si Se Puede! 2. You re not alone 3. Find a college that best fits Policies for undocumented students Financial Aid State DREAM Acts (In-State Tuition Bills) 4. The college application process is the same College Readiness Examination-End of course SAT & ACT 5. Your options might change 6. There are lots of resources to help in the process Source: College Board
A DREAMER without obstacles Tourist Visa? International Student? From Camila to Tania Chavez
Who are the DREAMers? Undocumented youth who grew up in the United States Most don t have a path to citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency 65,ooo undocumented HS graduates Only 5-10% go to college The DREAM Act DACA Hint: Classroom discussion kit by the Anti-Defamation League Source: Immigration Policy Center
What is the DREAM Act? Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act Bill in Congress introduced in 2001 Pathway to Citizenship Conditional Legal Residency Citizenship after 6 years Work, go to school, or join the military Not eligible for Federal education grants Only work study, student loans and in-state tuition Students would be able to go to college anywhere in US Stuck in Congress since 2001.. 14 years Source: Immigration Policy Center
State DREAM Acts Only five states allow undocumented students to get in-state financial aid Texas New Mexico Washington California Minnesota Prohibitions Arizona Georgia Indiana South Carolina Alabama Source: BestColleges
TEXAS DREAM Act Junio 15 de 2001 resided in Texas with a parent or guardian while attending high school in Texas, graduated from a public or private high school or received a GED in Texas, resided in Texas for the three years leading to graduation or receipt of a GED, and provided their institutions a signed affidavit indicating an intent to apply for permanent resident status as soon as able to do so
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) On June 15, 2012 President Obama grants prosecutorial discretion to DREAMers who meet certain criteria. Not all DREAMers qualify. It grants a two year protection from Deportation and a two year work permit. It does not lead to Permanent Residency or Citizenship but it may be renewed. Source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Who qualifies? Someone who? Arrived to the US before age 16 Has resided in the US since June 15, 2007 until the present time Is currently enrolled in school or has obtained a GED; or is a person with an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces or the Coast Guard Has not been convicted of a felony or a significant misdemeanor or more than 3 misdemeanors Was physically present in the United States of June 15, 2012 Source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Who qualifies? Someone who? Was born after June 15, 1981 Is at least 15 years of age at the time of filing, (for individuals never in removal proceedings or if case was terminated) Has a final order of deportation must be below the age of 31 but does not have to wait until age 15 Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or their lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012 Source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Free Financial Aid for ALL Texans! TASFA Each institution might have its own application Texas Grant Institutionalized Grants Institutionalized scholarships Texas Grant Institutionalized Grants Institutionalized scholarships College for all TEXANS Determine Eligibility TG-Adventures in Education-How to fill-it out
TASFA 1-888-311-8881 FAFSA
Where do I start? RGVFocus.org
If DACAmented TASFA (in-state), TASFA (in-state), TASFA (in-state), before FAFSA Work Study Watch out! FAFSA will only help to apply for scholarships FAFSA Does Not, Does Not, Does not, provide Any Financial Aid No loans No grants No work study
Drop the I word! Undocumented or DACAmented Not illegal or Alien The various names at colleges Senate Bill or House of Bill Students Non-citizens Foreign Born State Resident Dreamers Undocumented
Scholarships Eligibility Requirements Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency DACA SAR (Student Aid Report) United We DREAM Resources
Scholarshipsaz.org
Goldendoorscholars.org
TheDream.us
hsf.net
Unitedwedream.org
Help your students find a group near them
Resources to aid undocumented students with college access National TFA Guide United We DREAM Educational Empowerment Program (DEEP) Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth-DOE State of Texas College Guide for Advising Undocumented Students RGV TASFA Toolkit (RGV)
La Union del Pueblo Entero www.lupenet.org