Community Forum Support Undocumented Students on February 25th

Ann Endris

During the Fall 2014 Flex Week, staff from the organization Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) facilitated a workshop about supporting undocumented students. The overwhelming feedback by faculty and staff who attended was “We want more!” In response to this request, CCFT is organizing return workshops and a community forum with E4FC for Cabrillo faculty, staff, students, parents, and the wider community.

On Wednesday, February 25^th Cabrillo will host multiple workshops and a community forum facilitated by E4FC to improve and solidify our support of undocumented students.

From 3:00-5:00pm, in SACWest 202 at the Aptos campus, E4FC will lead a workshop for staff in Admissions & Records, Financial and the Counseling Department that will focus on best practices for supporting undocumented students.

From 6:00-8:00pm two workshops and a community forum will be held at the Cabrillo Watsonville Center.

1) COMMUNITY FORUM: Supporting Undocumented Students

For educators and allies (in English)
Educators and community allies will be provided with information and best practices for supporting undocumented students. Information will include discussion of legal parameters and scholarships, touching on the Dream Act, AB-540 and Deferred Action. In addition, best practices are included for educators on how to create a safe space, how to be an effective advocate for their students and where to seek resources for their students.

2) STUDENT WORKSHOP:

Making College a Reality for Undocumented Students
For students (in Engish)
Students will be provided with information about legal parameters and scholarships, building a support network, connecting to legal services, creative expression and how to get more involved.

3) PARENT WORKSHOP: How to Support Your Undocumented Children (to be presented in Spanish)

This presentation will provide parents of undocumented students with basic information and resources. Includes information about deferred action policy, financial aid opportunities and other important resources that their children can utilize in their pursuit of college will be included.

Como Apoyar a Sus Hijos Indocumentados
Esta presentacion contiene informacion y consejos para los padres de estudiantes indocumentados. Incluye informacion sobre accion diferida, ayuda financiera del estado, como obtener becas y otras oportunidades y recursos para estudientes indocumentados.

Please join us on Wednesday, February 25^th for an evening of community building and learning how to best support undocumented students! Until then, here are 10 best practices for supporting undocumented students, provided by E4FC:

Provide Hope & Encouragement

Reassure undocumented students that college is possible despite the obstacles

Create a Safe Space

Don’t ask undocumented students to self-identify
Make resources easily available for all students
Be mindful of your language; say ‘undocumented’ rather than ‘illegal’
Use E4FC’s posters, bookmarks, and stickers to identify yourself as an ally. Visit www.e4fc.org/onlinestore.html.

Know Relevant Policies & Legislation

Understand admissions and enrollment policies for undocumented students
Understand in-state tuition and state-based aid requirements for undocumented students (if applicable)
Understand Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligibility requirements and application procedures. For more information, visit www.e4fc.org/resources/deferredaction.html.
Keep informed about the federal DREAM Act and other proposed immigration policies legislation

Find Scholarships

Keep track of scholarships that don’t require citizenship or residency
Help students apply to as many available scholarships as possible
Encourage scholarships to allow undocumented students to apply
Share E4FC’s “List of Scholarships that Don’t Require Social Security Numbers”. Visit www.e4fc.org/resources/scholarshiplists.html.

Build Support Network

Identify mentors/tutors
Identify allies/advocates/sponsors
Identify mental health professionals/support groups

Identify Role Models

Identify older undocumented students who can serve as role models
Invite E4FC’s Student Outreach Ambassadors to do a workshop or presentation for students at your school. Visit www.e4fc.org/ outreachprograms.html.
Refer students to E4FC’s “Life After College” Guide:www.e4fc. org/resources/lifeaftercollegeguide.html

Involve Parents

Educate parents about why undocumented students should pursue college
Encourage good communication between children and parents
Invite parents into the college application and enrollment process
Share E4FC’s Guide for Parents of Undocumented Students (in English and Spanish). Visit www.e4fc.org/resources/parentguides. html.

Access Reputable Legal Information & Assistance

Identify reputable, affordable legal service providers in your area. Visit www.e4fc.org/resources/gettinglegalhelp.org.
Encourage students to use E4FC’s free, anonymous, and online DREAMer Intake Service to get information about their eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other long- term immigration remedies. Visit www.e4fc.org/legalservices.html.
Refer students to E4FC’s “Beyond Deferred Action: Long-Term Immigration Remedies DREAMers Should Know About” guide: www.e4fc.org/resources/legalremedies.html.
Encourage students to pursue potential immigration remedies (if available to them)