{"id":1641,"date":"2024-09-23T12:09:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T17:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/community-empowerment-institutional-inclusivity\/?page_id=1641"},"modified":"2026-03-05T11:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:59:25","slug":"undocu-daca-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/community-empowerment-institutional-inclusivity\/services\/roberto-hernandez-center\/resources\/undocu-daca-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Undocu\/DACA Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Dreamers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Under DACA<\/strong> (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria are granted protection from deportation, access to Social Security numbers, and renewable two-year work permits. The DACA policy was introduced in 2012<\/strong>. However, significant changes have occurred since then. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2021, the U.S. government will not grant any new DACA requests. In January 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the program was unlawful, although a stay remains in place to allow existing recipients to continue renewing their protection and work authorization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no federal law that requires proof of U.S. citizenship for admission to colleges and universities in the U.S. Most institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)<\/strong>, set their own admission policies, and many are open to undocumented students. While being undocumented can limit some options, numerous colleges and universities, like UWM, accept undocumented students and may offer scholarships, financial aid, and resources to support them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students should thoroughly research schools to understand their admissions policies for undocumented individuals. This may include directly contacting admissions offices, such as those at UWM, to inquire about their procedures for undocumented applicants and the financial aid opportunities available. UWM, like many other institutions, may offer dedicated support for undocumented students and provide guidance on how to navigate the admissions process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)<\/strong>, school officials are generally prohibited from disclosing personal information \u2014 including immigration status \u2014 without the student’s consent, except for directory information<\/a>, which students may also opt to protect (but must indicate they want to block directory information<\/a> from public release).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students should feel confident seeking advice from high school teachers and counselors, who can often connect them with resources like college admissions counselors at UWM, scholarship opportunities, or peer networks of other undocumented students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from immigration status, undocumented students are just like any other students in their academic aspirations. Each college or university, including UWM, has its own admissions criteria, and students should take steps to ensure they meet the general requirements. While the details may vary by institution, focusing on academic preparation, extracurricular activities, and a strong application can help improve the chances of acceptance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adapted from College Guide for Undocumented Students<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone<\/em> living in the United States\u2014including undocumented immigrants\u2014has certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n