The DREAMERS Initiative was launched in summer 2016 to support undocumented students at UWM. This effort includes professional development for campus employees and resources for campus community members. The initiative recognizes dreamers are not monolithic. As a student population in the U.S., there are unique challenges for dreamers, who may be DACA-mented, undocumented, etc.
DREAMERS works closely with the UWM Undocumented Student Task Force and other campus partners such as the Roberto Hernandez Center, Admissions, and Housing and Financial Aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Support at UWM For Dreamers, DACA-mented Students, and Students from Mixed Status Families
For guidance on your residency for tuition purposes, contact a Residency Specialist to discuss the Extenuating Circumstance Process. In-person meetings are available by appointment.
Contact a Residency Specialist:
- Tuition and financial aid disbursement can be found on your PAWS account:
- Contact Student Financial Services:
- Schedule an appointment with Student Financial Services:
The Undocumented Student Task Force (USTF) consists of UWM staff, faculty, and student members that are points of contact for student offices and services on campus. Some of the offices the task force works with are financial aid, housing, admissions, etc.
Find more information at https://uwm.edu/firstgen/programs/dreamers/#a1
On June 15, 2012, President Obama called for deferred action for certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children. Applications under the program which is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) began Aug. 15, 2012. 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.
The Roberto Hernandez Center has a number of resources for students with questions about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), including a DACA and Undocumented Student Toolkit and referrals to local immigration attorneys. The First-Generation+ Resource Center (FG+RC) coordinates the UWM “Dreamers” initiative and provides support and information to undocumented students at UWM. They have trained and will continue to offer training for faculty and staff who wish to understand the problems undocumented students face and what resources exist to help them.
Regarding Immigration Enforcement on Campus
ICE may enter campus because it is public property. On Jan. 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded prior agency guidance on immigration enforcement actions in “sensitive” areas, which included schools and university campuses. In the event that ICE were to enter campus, contact UWMPD (414-229-4627) and the Office of Legal Affairs (414-229-4278) to make sure that they are aware of ICE’s presence and for assistance in responding to their request.
While classrooms are public spaces, access during classes is subject to reasonable restriction by an instructor to maintain order. At the same time, law enforcement may legally enter a classroom subject to a lawful subpoena or other lawful authority. If this happens, you should contact the UWMPD (414-229-4627) and the Office of Legal Affairs (414-229-4278) to confirm that law enforcement is present with lawful authority. You should not try to determine whether any subpoena, warrant, or other document is legally valid. You may ask that law enforcement wait outside until class is dismissed, although they are not required to grant such a request.
Offices assigned to individuals are not generally publicly accessible if they are closed and locked, but anyone can approach and/or enter a shared or open office on campus. Any location on campus, regardless of building rules, is accessible subject to lawfully signed warrants or other lawful authority, and UWM cannot legally deny access to such locations subject to a lawfully issued and signed warrants or other lawful authority. If law enforcement presents a lawful subpoena or warrant or claims other legal authority to enter any space on campus, you should contact the UWMPD (414-229-4627) and the Office of Legal Affairs (414-229-4278) to confirm that law enforcement is present with lawful authority. You should not try to determine whether any subpoena, warrant, or other document is legally valid.
The UWM Police Department cannot prohibit another law enforcement agency with jurisdiction or other legal authority from entering campus, although the UWMPD works with all outside law enforcement to minimize intrusion into classes in session, other campus activities, and day-to-day business.
FERPA prevents UWM or the UWMPD from providing information about student class schedules and/or class location and information other than directory information if a student has opted out of making such information publicly accessible. If any student does not want their directory information to be available to anyone upon request, they can opt out of sharing that information. “Directory information” is defined at UWM to include a student’s name and address but does not include course schedules (https://uwm.edu/onestop/your-student-record/sharing-and-protecting-your-information/). Students may restrict the inclusion of their contact information in UWM’s directory in PAWS as well as block the release of directory information under FERPA by using this form here.
If a student who has restricted the release of their directory information needs to make that information available on a limited basis for scholarship, internship or employment application purposes, they can go to this link and complete a release authorization form listing the agency authorized to receive the information.
If ICE presents exigent circumstances, which may constitute an exception to FERPA if the safety of the student or public is at issue, UWMPD would assist ICE in safely carrying out their actions. “Exigent circumstances” are emergency situations requiring swift action to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property. In such cases, UWMPD’s focus would be the safety of the UWM community and the public.
Residence halls and resident rooms are accessible subject to the rules of each residence hall. Any location on campus, regardless of building rules, is accessible subject to lawfully signed warrants or other lawful authority, and UWM cannot legally deny access to such locations subject to a lawfully issued warrant or other lawful authority. UWM Housing staff is trained whether to permit access to the residence halls by law enforcement and consults with the UWMPD and/or the Office of Legal Affairs if there are questions about whether such access is lawful and required.
Undocumented Student Task Force
The Undocumented Student Task Force (USTF) consists of members that are points of contact for student offices and services on campus. Some of the offices the task force works with are financial aid, housing, admissions, etc.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the First-Generation+ Resource Center or the Roberto Hernandez Center, and they will assist you or get you in contact with someone who can.
Alberto Maldonado, Roberto Hernandez Center
Phone: 414-229-6516
Email: donpepe@uwm.edu
Amanda Soika, First-Generation+ Resource Center
Phone: 414-229-7234
Email: alsoika@uwm.edu
Mai Yer Yang, Advocacy and Engagement
Phone: 414-229-7235
Email: yang692@uwm.edu
Support for Undocumented/DACAmented Students
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) is committed to all students, including undocumented students, with or without DACA. As a campus community, we will continue to do everything in our reach to help and protect our students. Supporting the continuation of DACA is consistent with our access mission and the commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive campus where people from all backgrounds can learn and grow together.
– Alberto Maldonado, Chair of USTF