Beyond DACA: A Directory of Resources for Undocumented Students & Individuals

The U.S. is home to more than 408,000 undocumented students in higher education and close to 2.7 million Dreamers across the country. The purpose of this Beyond DACA directory is to provide a consolidated place for the most recent resources to support undocumented students and individuals access and afford college, start their professional careers, and receive legal support and mental health support, among other types of resources. These resources were designed by pro-immigration organizations in the non-profit sector to help undocumented students and individuals, including those with and without DACA, understand their options and opportunities.

The resources in this page were compiled by the Presidents’ Alliance, Immigrants Rising, Informed Immigrant, and NAKASEC.

Overview (Where is DACA now?)

On September 13, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen found that the regulation issued by the Biden administration in 2022 that formalized DACA was unlawful. This ruling will keep the status quo for current DACA holders—allowing for renewals and applications for advance parole. However, the program will continue to be closed for first-time applicants.

The Biden administration is anticipated to appeal this ruling, but based on its previous decision, the Fifth Circuit is likely to agree with Judge Hanen that the DACA regulation is unlawful. This case is ultimately expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Current State of DACA (MALDEF, 2023): This resource provides an overview of the most recent updates to DACA, including litigation and rulemaking that impacts the program.

College Access and Completion

High School Students

Guide for Undocumented High School and College Students (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This guide will provide undocumented high school and college students, both with and without DACA, to help them make informed decisions about their futures and acquire the tools they need to advocate for themselves at the high school and college levels.
Options for Undocumented High School Students (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This guide will provide some alternative options when considering what’s next after high school.

College Students

Guide for Undocumented High School and College Students (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This guide will provide undocumented high school and college students, both with and without DACA, to help them make informed decisions about their futures and acquire the tools they need to advocate for themselves at the high school and college levels.
Resources for Applying to College as an Undocumented Student (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This resource provides the most important information you’ll need to know when applying to college as an undocumented student.
Resources for Undocumented College Students (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This guide provides resources for advocacy resources and tips on campus safety.

Institutional Support

Directory of Presidents’ Alliance Resources to Support DACA recipients, Undocumented Students, Dream Legislation, and Institutions of Higher Education (Presidents’ Alliance, 2022): This page contains a list of all of the Presidents’ Alliance’s materials, including resources, advocacy tools, and best practices, to help institutions of higher education to support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented students.
Effectively Supporting Black Undocumented Students Through Higher Education (Immigrants Rising, 2022): Read about the experiences of current Black undocumented students as well as recommendations for institutions to better reach and engage this student population.
Top 10 Ways to Support Undocumented Students (Immigrant Rising, updated 2022): This flyer shares concrete suggestions and specific resources educators can use to strengthen the support they provide for undocumented students.
Webinar: Uplifting Campus Resources: Effective Practices to Support Undocumented Students in Higher Education (Presidents’ Alliance, 2022): This webinar focused on the initiatives and effective practices that campus leaders and practitioners have implemented to support undocumented students with and without work authorization. Find the Google Drive folder that contains the slide deck, speaker bios, and our Partner resources here.
Increasing Inclusivity for Undocumented Asian-Pacific Islander (API) Students (Immigrants Rising, 2021): Better understand the experiences and diversity of Asian & Pacific Islander students attending our colleges and universities including strategies to increase inclusivity at campuses.
Developing A Strong Undocumented Student Task Force On Your Campus (Immigrants Rising, 2020): This guide provides tangible steps to develop an effective undocumented student task force, or strengthen an existing one, in order to create meaningful institutional changes on your campus.
A Guide to Building On-Campus Undocumented Student Programs (Immigrants Rising, 2019): This resource provides ways to successfully establish an undocumented student program (USP) on your campus. It also details ways to develop programming in the absence of a dedicated coordinator position, program budget, or designated space.

Transfer Process

Transfer Process for Undocumented and Refugee Students: Models and Considerations for 2 & 4 Year Institutions (Presidents’ Alliance, 2022): This guide is intended to provide tangible examples and resources that community colleges and 4-year institutions can adapt to create inclusive materials and programs and intentionally support the college and career success of undocumented and refugee students as they transfer.

College Affordability and Financial Aid

The U.S. is home to 427,000 undocumented students in higher education. Each U.S. state implements its own policies in terms of providing undocumented students with access to in-state tuition (for public universities) and state financial aid.

In-State Tuition and State Financial Aid

Overview of Undocumented Students (Immigrants Rising, 2022): This overview has important statistics at your fingertips about the undocumented population, how undocumented students are defined, the challenges they have in pursuing college education, and federal/state policies impacting them.
Portal to the States: Tuition and Financial Aid Equity for Undocumented Students (Higher Ed Immigration Portal, 2022): This resource includes a map that summarizes all 50 state policies in terms of whether they provide access to in-state tuition and state financial aid to undocumented students. Visitors can click on a state for more information about that state’s policy.

Scholarships

Building Your Scholarship Essay (Immigrants Rising, 2022): This worksheet will help students gather their thoughts and jot down some solid examples of their achievements for common questions asked in scholarship and fellowship essays. Completing this workshop is a great building block to an essay that could be used for more than one application.
Fellowships & Scholarships: Creating Inclusive Eligibility Requirements for Undocumented Students (Presidents’ Alliance, 2022): This document helps inform campuses on why creating inclusive eligibility requirements for fellowships and scholarships for undocumented students is important and steps they can take to make those changes.
List of Scholarships and Fellowships (Immigrants Rising, 2022): This resource provides a list of scholarships and fellowships that do not require proof of US citizenship. The list has general application eligibility requirements, including education level, region/state, and immigration status. Opportunities with due dates within the next 180 days are shown.
Paid & Unpaid Opportunities for Undocumented (Non DACA), DACA & TPS (Undocuprofessionals, 2022): Allows one to browse through and search for jobs, internships, scholarships, contracting opportunities and fellowships.
Scholarships Open to Undocumented Students (Informed Immigrant, 2018): This section in the For Educators: Supporting Undocumented Students and Their Families guide highlights scholarship resources and options opened to undocumented students depending on their respective situation.
TheDream.US: Offers two types of scholarships. The National Scholarship is for high school or community college graduates. The Opportunity Scholarship is for students who live in targeted, locked-out states where they cannot get in-state tuition. Your eligibility for both is based on where you live.

Entrepreneurship

Anyone, regardless of immigration status, can make money by building their own businesses and working for themselves. Below are resources that can help you generate income through entrepreneurship and freelancing.

Basic Facts About Entrepreneurship (Immigrants Rising, 2021): This resource provides a brief overview of the entrepreneurship opportunities that exist for all immigrants, regardless of status.
Income Generation Webinar Series (Immigrants Rising, 2020): This three-part series is created (in partnership with United We Dream) to help you understand what it means to work for yourself, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and launch your business.
5 Reasons Undocumented Immigrants Should Go Into Tech (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This resource was created for and by undocumented individuals outlining how to kickstart a tech career and why it is important for undocumented individuals to enter the tech industry.
ITIN Guide (Immigrants Rising, 2021): This resource provides an overview of what the ITIN is, how to use it and how to apply for one.
Spark Website (Immigrants Rising): This is a learning platform that was created to help individuals learn the basics about entrepreneurship.
Venturize (Immigrants Rising and Small Business Majority): Use this directory to find local organizations that can help you start or grow your business.
Making Money (Immigrants Rising): Landing page for all resources related to entrepreneurship.
Helping Students Get Their UndocuHustle On: Introduction to Entrepreneurship Lesson Plan (Immigrants Rising, 2022): This lesson plan will walk educators and advocates through the steps to take to introduce entrepreneurship to undocumented students through an interactive workshop.

Legal Support

How to Find an Immigration Lawyer (Informed Immigrant, 2022): This guide provides information on how to find a good immigration lawyer, where to find one, how to prepare to meet with a lawyer, and how to avoid fraud.
Traveling with Advance Parole in 2022 (Informed Immigrant, 2022): This guide provides information for DACA recipients on advance parole and what to expect before, during, and after traveling abroad.
Beyond DACA: Immigration Options Every Undocumented Person Should Know (Immigrants Rising, 2019): This resource provides a guide that discusses long-term remedies that undocumented folks should know. Such includes employment-based green card for undocumented young people with LIFE Act (245i) Protection, adjustment of status through marriage to a U.S. citizen, U-Visas for victims of crime who assist law enforcement, asylum, follow-up on parents’ application, and temporary working visas and processing in your home country. The resource guide also includes additional remedies to consider for family members under age 18 and information on finding legal resources.
Help for People in Detention or Facing Deportation (Informed Immigrant, 2017): This resource provides an overview of what to expect if someone is detained or is experiencing a potential deportation, how to locate a loved one if they have been picked up or transferred to ICE, and more.
Guide For Undocumented Individuals Traveling In The U.S. This guide provides information about travel within the US for undocumented (with or without DACA) people.
Legal Support Help Page (Informed Immigrant): This tool provides help in finding local immigration help and local organizations by zip code.

Non-Employment Based Opportunities

Fellowships and other Non-Employment Based Opportunities for Undocumented Students (Higher Ed Immigration Portal, 2022): This site consolidates a variety of resources and campus examples for developing non-employment based experiential learning opportunities for undocumented students.
Creating Fellowship Programs for Educational Institutions (Immigrants Rising, 2021): This document provides an overview of fellowships, which are often used in an educational context to support students in their studies or professional development and can provide a sum of money.
FAQ on Experiential and Funding Opportunities for Undocumented Students (Presidents’ Alliance, 2021): This document provides campuses and their legal counsel with information on developing nonemployment-based, funded experiential opportunities for undocumented students, including legal considerations.
Income and Career Options for Undocumented Students: How Colleges Can Help (Immigrants Rising, DAWI and Dream.US, 2020): Undocumented people without DACA or TPS can earn a living and pursue professional careers. This webinar is designed for campus staff and faculty who want to understand and explore the career, income and funding options available to undocumented students and alumni who may not have work authorization.

DACA: How to Apply for Renewals

DACA Decision at the Fifth Circuit October 2022 (Informed Immigrant, 2022): This page breaks down the October 5th Fifth Circuit decision on the Texas v. United States DACA case. A timeline of the case, questions about renewals, first-time requests info, and advance parole info are all included on the page.
DACA Rule 2022 (Informed Immigrant, 2022): This page outlines the new final DACA Rule from the Biden Administration, along with an explainer video, FAQ section, and renewal information.
How to Renew Your DACA in 2022 (Informed Immigrant, 2022): This resource provides information about how to submit your DACA renewal, how to find DACA help near you, how to fund your renewal, and more.
DACA Updates During the Coronavirus Crisis (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This page tracks updates about the Coronavirus with regard to DACA renewal clinics, USCIS Offices, Real ID, and more.
Steps to Renew DACA (Immigrants Rising, 2021): Follow this step-by-step guide to renewing your DACA status.
DACA Help Map (Informed Immigrant): This tool provides DACA renewal events & organizations providing renewal assistance searchable through zip code, city, and state.

Healthcare

UndocuHealth and Wellness Initiative (United We Dream, 2022): This resource includes Mental Health Toolkit, Mental Health Directory, UndocuHealth Webinars, etc.
- The Mental Health Toolkit provides readers with:
  - 7 steps to keeping calm and organizing within our community
  - Explanation of how our bodies respond (fight or flight vs. rest and digest)
  - 101 Mindful Breathing
- The Mental Health Directory allows readers to browse by state in finding licensed mental health practitioners that provide pro bono/low bono services.
- UndocuHealth Webinars – none at the moment
- Sign up HERE to receive resources from the United We Dream UndocuHealth team.

Mental Health (Immigrants Rising): This resource includes Getting Personal Help, Practice Wellness with Other, Additional Wellness Resources.
- Getting Personal Help: Allows one to get connected with a trained therapist for free, confidential 1-1 support. For CA residents only.
- Practice wellness with others: Allows one to stay grounded and connect with the community through online support groups.
- Additional Wellness Resources has tools kits for self-care and grounding as well as lists of resources to take care of yourself and loved ones.
- Sign up HERE to receive updates about mental health
Mental Health for Immigrants: Taking Care of Yourself and Loved Ones (Informed Immigrant, 2021): There is a tremendous amount of uncertainty in today’s immigration enforcement environment. This page provides resources and tips for managing the emotional and spiritual well-being of yourself, your family, and your friends.
Resources for Immigrants During the Coronavirus Crisis (Informed Immigrant, 2021): This page separates regional resources for the undocumented community including information on access to financial help, food, health vaccine information, and more.
A Guide to Providing Mental Health Services to Immigrants Impacted by Changes to DACA and the COVID-19 Pandemic (Informed Immigrant, 2020): This guide was written by a group of mental health providers and scholars to provide mental health providers who wish to work with DACA recipients with introductory content to develop competences to work with this community.
How to Support Undocumented Students’ Mental Health: Dealing with Trauma and Anxiety (Informed Immigrant, 2020): This resource is for educators supporting undocumented students and students from mixed-status families who are experiencing trauma and anxiety.