Is Your State Aware of the Updated USCIS Language on Qualifying Education Programs?

Posted on January 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

While the latest numbers from USCIS show that nearly 800,000 individuals have applied for DACA since the program launched, more than half of those potentially eligible to apply still have not done so. Many of those who have not come forward do not meet the program’s education requirement of at least a high school diploma or equivalent and would therefore need to enroll in a qualifying education program to receive DACA. Unfortunately, these individuals are likely to be older and have work and family responsibilities that could present obstacles to enrolling in a program that would help them qualify. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Overcoming Barriers to Applying for DACA: Loan Programs for Potential Applicants

Posted on September 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

A Guest Post by Michael Kavate of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees

DACA can transform lives. A successful application—while by no means a cure-all—can be the first step toward a better job, higher earnings, and freedom from the fear of deportation. These benefits and others uplift not only the lives of the applicants, but those of their families and communities—a driver’s license offers access to more jobs, bank accounts help safely store earnings, and capital allows immigrants to make business investments for themselves or others. Yet for too many would-be beneficiaries, the $465 fee to submit an application is too high a barrier. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Guest Posts

Refocusing on “DACA One” Implementation

Posted on August 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

Hello Friends.

With the timeline for resolution of the lawsuit challenging the President’s November 2014 executive actions extending far into the future, and with less than half of those potentially eligible having taken advantage of the original DACA program, the time is ripe to re-focus on the opportunities available under “DACA One”.

Many of you have expressed interest in attempting some coordinated efforts in September and October that will bolster outreach and assistance related to the DACA program, with special emphasis on “non-traditional” applicants and educational advancement. So far those with broad buy-in include: identifying non-traditional DACA youth as case examples/media interviewees; organizing a press conference to emphasize that the original DACA program is unaffected by the admin relief lawsuit and more than 50% of those potentially eligible still to come forward/apply; and hosting a high-profile local application processing event/information session that includes an adult education/career pathway counseling or system navigation element. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged ,

Resources for DACA Renewers and Briefing Call Recap

Posted on March 24, 2015 | Leave a comment

A big thanks to all of you who participated in last month’s briefing call and shared your experience with the DACA renewals process so far. You raised a number of concerns, from the impact of the $465 filing fee to slow USCIS processing times that may put recipients’ employment authorization at risk. We also heard about a lack of awareness among some recipients regarding the need to renew their DACA, the importance of renewing on time, and the proper time to submit their applications.

While many providers have turned their attention to preparing for implementation of the DAPA and expanded DACA programs that are currently tied up in the courts, there are some great resources available specifically to help DACA recipients navigate the renewals process. We have highlighted a few of these resources below, but hope you will help us add to the list with anything your organization has created or found useful. Please take a look and let us know in the comments if there are additional resources you’d like to share! Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Tools & Resources

Tagged

Welcome!

Posted on March 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Welcome to the blog of the Network on Educational Success for DACA-DREAM Youth. The purpose of this blog is to explore challenges and opportunities associated with improving the educational success of DACA-DREAM youth. Upcoming posts will examine an array of promising practices and program models, as well as pose questions and topics for discussion related to educational access and attainment for potentially-eligible DACA youth. We hope you will share your knowledge by leaving comments, posing questions for the group and proposing topics for future posts.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized