Supporting DACA and DREAM Act-Eligible Youth: What systemic changes are needed?

Picture source: http://juventudecuatoriana.org

On Tuesday, the Migration Policy Institute and the National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy hosted a webinar tackling the most challenging area in DACA programming: how to provide support for DACA-eligible youth. In order to be eligible for DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, youth must meet the following requirements:

-At least 15 years old but not 31 years old as of June 2012
-In the US before age 16
-Unauthorized as of June 2012
-Resided in the US since June 2007
-In school, have high school/equivalent diploma, or enrolled in a “school” program
-Can pass security/criminal background check

DACA is important because it allows youth to remain in the US and receive a work permit, social security card, and "in-state" tuition rates. While many might want to take advantage of the program, many who are eligible face numerous economic or educational hurdles, or might not know enough about the program to apply.

One of the biggest hurdles to DACA enrollment is not having the resources (like information and money) to meet the educational requirements of the program. To promote increased enrollment in the program and provide these resources, speakers on the Webinar suggested the following:

Disseminating information to those under 19 through outreach events
Programs in NYC and California have worked with community based organizations to reach out to youth. These programs range from presentations in the community to using “ambassadors” who have been through the DACA process who can not only help provide insight to the technicalities of the process, but also relate to youth who are beginning the same journey. Additionally, outreach in the form of flyers and websites can also reach a population that may not have been reached otherwise.

Providing support for adult education
For those over 19 without a high school diploma, returning to school to become DACA eligible can be a struggle. Educators suggest changes in the system such as providing money reimbursement for adult education to adjust for lost wages when returning to school.

Providing relevant programming to help adults ease the transition back to education
Programs like Bridge and English for Academic Purposes make returning to school a little bit easier.

Providing legal support
Programs in NYC provided legal advice to those who may not know if they are eligible for DACA. Lawyers mostly provide help filling out forms and helping people understand the legal process.

Providing funding for college students
In the future, immigration legislation may require that students have at least 2 years of college education, like the current requirements of the DREAM Act. However, many high school students may not have the resources to continue on to college. Scholarships and grants such as those from programs like “Invest in the Dream” can help students continue school without feeling like they are digging themselves into too much debt.

Through these avenues, educators hope to help address the needs of DACA-eligible youth and help them achieve academic success.

For more information about DACA, please visit:

MPI (webinar):
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/events/realizing-daca-and-dream-promise-actions-support-educational-attainment-potentially-eligible

Creative platform for immigrant youth:
www.thingsillneversay.org

Scholarships:
http://e4fc.org/resources/scholarshiplists.html