Contra Costa College Stands with Undocumented Students

The ‘unwinding’ of DACA does not impact a student’s ability to attend our colleges, qualify for an exemption from nonresident tuition fees, or to apply for financial aid under the provisions of the California Dream Act. These are state programs that are entirely separate and distinct from DACA and the federal enforcement of immigration laws.

You can even use this handy tool to see if you apply for in-state tuition.

Top 6 Things to Know about the Current Status of DACA:

1. Your DACA is valid until its expiration date.
2. USCIS will continue accepting DACA renewal applications.
3. Advance parole to travel is no longer available.
4. DACA status does not impact your college attendance or state financial aid eligibility.
5. CA affords eligibility for driving privileges to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
6. CA drivers with DACA status should plan to transition to an AB 60 driver’s license by the time your DACA status expires.
7. The fight is not over! UC, CSU, Community College Chancellors, and College Presidents, along with many politicians and community leaders, have made statements against the ending of DACA and vowed to continue fighting in support of undocumented students.

NOTE: USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted DACA. USCIS will not accept or approve Advance Parole requests from DACA recipients.

On September 5, 2017, it was announced that the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program that was created under President Barack Obama would be terminated pending a six-month delay to allow Congress to take action.

While the Trump administration has announced its decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Contra Costa College stands with undocumented students, and wants to assure the CCC community that campus will remain a safe place for all.

In a legal memorandum issued September 5, 2017, Jacob Knapp, Acting General Counsel for the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, stressed that:

It is important to note that today’s decision on the ‘unwinding’ of DACA does not impact a student’s ability to attend our college, qualify for an exemption from non-resident tuition fees under AB540, or to apply for financial aid under the provisions of the California Dream Act. AB540 and the California Dream Act are state programs that are entirely separate and distinct from DACA and the federal enforcement of immigration laws.

There are many resources available to students impacted:

• Our DREAMers Guide.
• Scholarships That Don’t Require Proof of US Citizenship or Legal US Residency.
• Immigrants Rising’s video bibliography.
• The East Bay Community Law Center.
• A comprehensive resource guide has been released by the California Immigrant Policy Center.
• Mental Health in the Post-DACA Era: Building Strength in Undocumented Latinxs, DACA Recipients, and Those Who Love Them, from the National Latina/o Psychological Association.
• Students are also encouraged to come by the Counseling Center in Student Services Center, Room 108 or call 510.215.3935 for counseling.
• Counseling is also available through the Student Wellness Program, which can be reached at 510.215.3960 or wellness@contracosta.edu.
• As stated above, the California DREAM Act is still in effect. You can learn more about what’s covered under that law from I Can Afford College.
• A guide to Frequently Asked Questions for Undocumented Students is available from CCC.
• A community advisory, What Do I Need to Know About the End of DACA?, has been released by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
• And a list of non-profit organizations offering legal help to immigrants is available from the California Department of Social Services.

In a statement issued on September 5, 2017, CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh joined Chancellor Fred Wood, Diablo Valley College Interim President Ted Wieden and Los Medanos College President Bob Kratochvil in denouncing the decision to end DACA and re-committing to  protect and support undocumented students.

“We remain committed,” Wood said, “to doing our part by providing the education and training all of our students need and want.”

In January 2017, the Contra Costa Community College District board voted 6-0 to to protect undocumented students, as reported by the East Bay Times:

The district will withhold students’ personal information from federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and retain existing financial aid policies for undocumented students. The resolution approved Wednesday night makes several assertions, including that the district will protect students ‘who meet the minimum requirements for admission, regardless of immigration status.’ No personal student information, the resolution says, will be released without a judicial warrant, subpoena or court order, or that student’s permission.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.