California’s community colleges embrace diversity in all forms. We believe all people have the right to access quality higher education. College-bound undocumented students are courageous, resilient and resourceful. They often work to pay for school and help their families. Many have lived in California for most of their life and have attended elementary, middle or high school in the United States.
That’s why the California Community Colleges is proud to offer numerous services and protections to undocumented students, including those who are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. Our system does not capture information on undocumented students and our colleges will not release personally identifiable student information related to immigration status unless required by judicial order. The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges has encouraged local districts to consider the system’s values when creating policies and practices related to undocumented students, leading many of our campuses to created Dreamer Resource Centers and host “know your rights” clinics.
It is vital that undocumented residents of California know their rights. For example, Assembly Bill 540 created a new exemption from the payment of out-of-state tuition for students who have attended a high school in California for three years and have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The legislation was critical because without it, undocumented students attending a California community college would be paying thousands of dollars in tuition each year as non-residents or international students.
California is home to an estimated 2.5 million undocumented immigrants, and protecting our undocumented communities not only is the right thing to do, it is the economically wise thing to do. DACA recipients will contribute $460 billion to the U.S. economy in the next decade.
The California Community Colleges remains committed to standing with DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants and providing them with educational opportunities.
Resources
The purpose of the Community College Immigration Legal Services program is to provide free immigration legal services, including education and outreach services, to students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses statewide.
The State of California’s 2018-19 Budget provided an initial $10 million investment for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to administer and implement immigration legal services at California community colleges. The initial investment allowed CDSS to fund nine legal service providers to serve 65 colleges. The 2020-21 provided an $10 million to expand the program over the next year. CDSS is partnering with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges to ensure students, staff, and faculty at these colleges are able to access free immigration legal services.
For more information, visit our Legal Services web page.
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education is an alliance of college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies impact students, campuses and communities. The Presidents’ Alliance led the filing of an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of DACA recipients, which the California Community College Board of Governors signed on to.
Updated 12/10/2019: US Supreme Court DACA Case (Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California)
The United States Supreme Court will rule by June 2020 on the legality of the Trump Administration’s rescission of the DACA program. The case will determine the status of DACA recipients around the nation.
Tentatively this event will occur in October, 2026. Check back in August for more information, or subscribe to the Undocumented Student Support newsletter for announcements and updates.
Visit our Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) Archive for a collection of previous USAW webinars and on-campus activities
The Foundation for California Community Colleges continuously supports efforts to provide clear pathways and resources for undocumented students. Learn more on their Undocumented Student Support web page.
UndocuLiaisons are counselors and advisors located at many California community college campuses. They provide answers and support for undocumented students of all nationalities and backgrounds. These resources provide a safe community for UndocuScholars and a judgement free place that makes it easier for students to focus on school and know they have support. Find your nearest Undoculiaison.
More Resources to Support Undocumented Students. These resources empower colleges to address the unique challenges undocumented students face, offering guidance on legal rights, mental health, career development, and campus-based support.
Webinars. The California Community College Chancellor's Office, in collaboration with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), CSU Office of the Chancellor, California Department of Social Services, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges will host FREE webinars on a quarterly basis.
Contact Us
contact AB540@CCCCO.edu with questions or for support.
