DACA and Undocumented Student Services

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DACA & Undocumented Student Resources

Oglethorpe has a history of welcoming students who are eager to make a life, make a living, and make a difference. This includes immigrants of all immigration statuses. Since our 2019 partnership with TheDream.US, a national scholarship program that helps provide access to college education for immigrant youth who came to the country at a young age without documentation, the number of undocumented students enrolled at Oglethorpe has greatly expanded. Additionally, Oglethorpe enrolls a growing population of undocumented and DACA-mented students outside of this scholarship program.

We are committed to serving all of our undocumented students while prioritizing their safety and privacy. The purpose of this FAQ section is to outline the types of resources, policies and support currently in place and those in development. We hope that our students of different immigration statuses can use these FAQs to connect with peers, faculty, staff, programs, and resources on campus, as well as help the campus community stay updated and involved in expanding the support available.

Four students pose inside a poster frame that reads "I stand with immigrants."

Undocumented Student FAQs

Yes! Undocumented students can apply and are encouraged to connect with our admission office. You do not have to disclose your immigration status to apply, but if you choose to do so, know that student education records are private and protected by federal law under FERPA.

Eligible applicants are also encouraged to apply for TheDream.US scholarship program, the nation’s largest college access and career success program for DREAMers. Oglethorpe is the first and only Georgia college to partner with TheDream.US.

No. Oglethorpe enrolls students with and without DACA, and all are welcome to apply. TheDream.US scholarship program also accepts undocumented students without DACA who meet other immigration eligibility criteria.

Oglethorpe takes the privacy and safety of undocumented students very seriously. The privacy of all student records is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Oglethorpe does not disclose any student’s personal information outside of the university (including law enforcement or government offices) without the student’s prior written consent unless required to do so because of a duly issued warrant or subpoena.

Furthermore, as of a 2021 U.S. Department of Homeland Security memo on immigration enforcement, colleges and universities are included under the term “protected area,” a location that is generally protected from enforcement actions by ICE and CBP. Oglethorpe supports this policy and will work to ensure it is upheld.

While Oglethorpe does not have a law center, we will do what we can to connect students with legal resources and information. Please see immigration lawyers near campus in the link below as well as important considerations when seeking legal consultation.

While programs and resources are constantly being improved and expanded, undocumented students are encouraged to take advantage of some of the following opportunities on campus:

  • Follow the OU Undocu Student Services account on Instagram (@undocupetrels) for updates and information around events, scholarships, jobs/internships, and community partnerships.
  • Join the OU Monarchs undocumented student organization and follow them on Instagram (@oumonarchs).
  • Schedule an individual advising appointment through Global Education’s Bookings Scholars with TheDream.US can select specific advising, but any undocumented students are encouraged to make an appointment under “General Questions/Advising” to discuss opportunities or to get connected with resources. You do not need to reference your immigration status or any personal information that you do not want to in order to book an appointment.
  • Attend one of Global Education’s Scholarship Advising sessions held on Fridays, twice a month, to find individual scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency to apply (check OUConnect for details).
  • Schedule a virtual appointment through Handshake with Career Development to get information about jobs and internships open to students of different immigration statuses.
  • Schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center to get support from Oglethorpe’s counseling team.

If you are interested in learning more about the immigration context in Georgia as well as how to support our undocumented students on campus, take a look at the following resources:

A graduation cap is decorated with the Mexican flag and text: "Hay que vivir sembrando!"

LEARN ABOUT THE DREAM.US SCHOLARSHIP

 

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Teachers as Allies: Transformative Practices for Teaching Dreamers and Undocumented Students

Teachers as Allies provides educators with the information and tools they need to involve immigrant students and their American-born siblings and peers in inclusive and transformative classroom experiences. The authors show how immigration policies, ICE enforcement, and societal attitudes affect undocumented students and how teachers and school leaders can recognize these influences on the students’ day-to-day lives and learning.

eBook available at the OU Library

We Are Not Dreamers: Undocumented Scholars Theorize Undocumented Life in the United States

The widely recognized “Dreamer narrative” celebrates the educational and economic achievements of undocumented youth to justify a path to citizenship. While a well-intentioned, strategic tactic to garner political support of undocumented youth, it has promoted the idea that access to citizenship and rights should be granted only to a select group of “deserving” immigrants. The contributors to We Are Not Dreamers—themselves currently or formerly undocumented—poignantly counter the Dreamer narrative by grappling with the nuances of undocumented life in this country. Theorizing those excluded from the Dreamer category—academically struggling students, transgender activists, and queer undocumented parents—the contributors call for an expansive articulation of immigrant rights and justice that recognizes the full humanity of undocumented immigrants while granting full and unconditional rights. Illuminating how various institutions reproduce and benefit from exclusionary narratives, this volume articulates the dangers of the Dreamer narrative and envisions a different way forward.

eBook available at the OU Library

TheDream.US Undocu-Ally Training Packet

An excellent resource for allies of undocumented students that helps define common terms, outlines steps to becoming an ally, and discusses tips and strategies for creating an inclusive environment:

TheDream.US Effective Practices Toolkit

A useful collection of resources related to the undocumented student experience, career connections, legal rights, and more.