Resources for Undocumented/DACAmented Students

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Immigration has been a topic of national conversation. Some of that conversation has been focused on undocumented immigrants in the United States and on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The status of DACA is uncertain at this time. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Renew DACA today at the Immigration Law Clinic. 

July 2024 update- The UNLV Immigration Law Clinic also offers information for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens.

The UNLV Undocumented Student Program has helpful, up to date information and resources for UNLV students about DACA and other resources for undocumented students. May 2024 update- this includes health insurance eligibility and new scholarship opportunities!

Below you will find a list of resources that might help Undocumented/DACAmented students and those individuals who want to find ways to support Undocumented/DACAmented students.

Stay up-to-date about DACA: https://ww.nilc.org/issues/daca/  and https://immigrantsrising.org/start-here/beyond-daca/  

Update: April 2024 - The US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office has an important update on the FAFSA for those without a social security number: (GENERAL-24-52) Update on Access to the 2024-25 FAFSA Form for Individuals Without a Social Security Number

Undocumented/Documented college students and youth are also often referred to as DREAMers. Learn more about the DREAM Act: proposed legislation that would benefit them, on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act 

Read this profile of Mariana Sarmiento, From Dreamer to Dream Come True

The UNLV Undocumented Student Program encourages any undocumented individuals who were impacted by the December 6 event to reach out for support. Please contact the program for important resources from the Immigration Law Center and UNLV.

On this page Nevada Senator Cortez Mastro provides resource guides for Nevada residents, including a guide for immigrants. The guides are available in English and Spanish, and must be downloaded in Adobe pdf format.

U.S. citizenship is not required for admission at UNLV, and our doors remain open to all students who seek education and the opportunities it provides.

The Wiliam S. Boyd School Of Law Immigration Clinic at UNLV offers a university community legal services program, UNLV’s first-ever program to provide immigration legal services to the university community. Launched in July 2018, the clinic offers legal advice and representation to UNLV students, staff, and their family members FREE OF CHARGE. Call 702-895-2080 for more information or to make an appointment. Services available to those who qualify and as resources allow.

UNLV is teaming up with TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college access and success program for immigrant youth, to provide scholarships for Nevada’s immigrant youth to achieve their higher education goals. Read UNLV’s official press release.

Locate information and contacts for each Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institution.

"As funding permits, the S.O.S. Emergency Relief Fund provides students with financial assistance when faced with an unexpected emergency situation."

Sign up for training provided by the Undocumented Student Program, for those who wish to become better allies.

Provided by Higher Ed Immigration Portal: "This resource hub is meant to be a central point where campuses and directly impacted individuals can find information on immigrant student rights, legal help, deportation defense and guidance on what institutions can do within and beyond the university to protect undocumented students."

Everyone living in the US has certain basic rights under the US Constitution. It is important that we all assert and protect our basic rights.

"Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. At NILC, we believe that all people who live in the U.S.—regardless of their race, gender, immigration and/or economic status—should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Over the years, we’ve been at the forefront of many of the country’s greatest challenges when it comes to immigration issues, and play a major leadership role in addressing the real-life impact of polices that affect the ability of low-income immigrants to prosper and thrive."

Serving Clark County: "ACT is a community-based non-profit organization serving working Latin American families.ACT advocates to unite and guide working immigrants, independent of their race, nationality, religion, language, sex, age and immigration status. Our mission is to defend and advocate for the rights of the immigrant community."

"...list of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship for you! The list has general application eligibility requirements, including education level, region/state, and immigration status (e.g. DACA, TPS, in-state tuition eligibility). Only opportunities with due dates within the next 180 days are shown in the list. Please refer to the webpage linked under “Click to Apply” for the comprehensive eligibility and application requirements."

Immigrants Rising, formerly Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC): "We empower undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation."

"Our goal at The Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation is to aid in the advancement of underprivileged children throughout the Las Vegas Valley. We provide scholarship support and educational incentives to children for meeting their academic, social and life goals."

"Our mission at My Undocumented Life blog is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advanced Parole, news on DAPA, and much more"

"...Informed Immigrant has become both a digital hub and offline network offering the most up-to-date and accessible information and guidance for the undocumented immigrant community."

"These 6-week Wellness Support Groups led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians, are designed to help undocumented people feel less alone and more understood. The weekly virtual sessions are closed; meaning that advance registration is required, with the goal of creating a confidential space where 10-12 participants can feel grounded, find community, and share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes with one another. " "Note: Though participation can be therapeutic, the groups are not a form of therapy."

"The Presidents’ Alliance collaborated with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) to publish a one-pager on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA protects personally identifiable information (PII) contained in students’ educational records. FERPA applies to educational institutions and agencies that receive funding via programs administered by the Secretary of Education and protects all domestic students, including undocumented students."

A frequently updated list of resources for persons and campuses looking for graduate and professional student resources. It is provided by the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which is "an alliance of American college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses and communities."

The term "sanctuary campus" is used in many contexts without a clear definition. Since 2017, several universities have declared their intent to be sanctuaries for immigrant students, and many others have also limited what data is collected about students' immigration status, and have clarified employee obligations to respond to inquiries and other actions by outside agencies. Below are examples of institutional policies and statements.  

• Pasadena Area Community College District, August 8, 2017
• Hunter College/Hunter College Campus Schools, no date
• University of California, no date
• Adelphi University, April 5, 2017
• Lehigh University, no date
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, no date
• Northeastern Illinois University, no date