In anticipation of a possible Supreme Court ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in the first half of 2019, numerous colleges are establishing support systems for undocumented students, Education Dive reports.
Colleges aim to meet unique needs of undocumented students
Undocumented students face compound stress from the uncertainty of their immigration status, food insecurity, limited time and sleep, and strains on their financial resources. To meet students’ needs and keep them on track for graduation throughout this turbulence, a number of schools—including Georgetown University, the University of Utah, Harvard University, and San Diego State University—provide undocumented students with individualized mentoring and DACA policy updates. Some colleges also are hiring administrative staff dedicated to supporting undocumented students.
In addition, institutions such as The City University of New York’s graduate universities and Johns Hopkins University are offering more scholarships for undocumented students, hoping to alleviate some of their financial burden. DACA students are ineligible for federal financial aid and are barred from paying in-state tuition in most states.
Legal hurdles loom
Last week, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling against the Trump administration’s efforts to end DACA. The administration’s plan, Vox reports, has been on hold since January, when a judge for the Northern District of California ruled that the administration must continue allowing immigrants currently covered by the program to renew their two-year grants of protection. Vox says that, with the latest ruling, and with the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh, the DACA case will now head to a majority-conservative Supreme Court.
SUPPORT FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AT GEORGETOWN
As a Catholic and Jesuit institution, Georgetown values the dignity of all members of our university community, regardless of immigration status, and has committed to supporting undocumented students and the unique challenges they may face. Learn more on Georgetown University’s Undocumented Student Resources website and in the video below: