Immigration Law News & Updates
DACA Student Resources
Read Commissioner Carlos E. Santiago's statement on DACA students
What is DACA?
On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a change in federal immigration policy regarding deportation enforcement for young immigrants that meet certain criteria, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This policy states that the federal government will “defer action” or not prosecute deportation cases for qualifying individuals for a period of two years from the time their application for “deferred action” is approved.
>> General information about DACA
In-State Tuition for DACA Beneficiaries
If approved, DACA beneficiaries will receive work permits in addition to deferred action status. Under the Board of Higher Education's residency policy, work permits make individuals eligible for in-state tuition at the Commonwealth’s 29 public college and university campuses, provided that they meet all other requirements.
>> Read the fact sheet on In-State Tuition for DACA Beneficiaries
>> Review the Residency Status Policy
Research Sources
Action Links
WSU Forum Video Archives (accessible only to WSU students, faculty, and staff with valid university logins, no exceptions) :
We, the Worcester State University chapter of the Massachusetts State College Association, hereby assert our solidarity with our students, faculty colleagues, and WSU staff and administrative employees. This statement is occasioned by the US government’s adoption of ill-advised and possibly unconstitutional new policies restricting, and in some cases completely banning, immigration to the United States. We believe that policies such as these are generally harmful to democracy and, in particular for institutions of higher education and research.
Encouraging the open consideration of the widest possible variety of ideas is the only way for a university such as ours to perform its service to the public, and those ideas must come from people of various national, ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. As our universities, have become more diverse in all of these ways, they have become stronger. Any action, local or national, that impedes this growth diminishes our ability to fulfill our fundamental purpose.
In addition to preventing this growth in diversity, the new immigration policies will likely have a chilling effect that will make all members of our academic community feel less safe in presenting, discussing, or researching ideas that might not meet with ‘official’ approval. Academic freedom is closely aligned with the freedom of speech protected by the US constitution and is crucial for the health of our country and its institutions of higher education. College and university classrooms and campuses are critical sites for informed, civil, and multi-partisan discussion.
Rather than excluding people and ideas, we at Worcester State University honor them. As scholars and educators, this is our core belief and our mission. We affirm our commitment to making our campus a safe and welcoming community for all its members, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, or sexual orientation. We also reaffirm our commitment to serving Worcester and its surrounding communities as they continue their long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees.
United We Dream provides extensive information and support for immigrants in the U.S.
MIRA: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
MIRA is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees, adva.ncing its mission through education and training, leadership development, institutional organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis and advocacy.
Student Immigrant Movement (SIM)
"The Student Immigrant Movement is a MA-based statewide immigrant youth-led organization. The Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) was founded in 2005 with the goal to train, engage, and mobilize young leaders across the state to advocate and fight for higher education rights for all immigrant students." Click here for the "What we do" one page SIM summary.
In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, millions of documented and undocumented immigrants face increased uncertainty around their status in the United States. Immigrant rights organizations and leaders across the country have banded together and pooled resources to help immigrants and their allies obtain the current best-known information and guidance. Includes "Know Your Rights & Family Preparedness" video, FAQ's:Updated Guidance for DACA Recipients, Resources 101: Important Info for Immigrants & Allies, FAQ's: Being Undocumented in 2017, and a variety of Resource Documents. Link to Spanish version, Inmigrante Informado
Immigrants Rising is an organization that focuses on providing support to undocumented and DACA studetns for life after college.
Define American is a non-profit media and culture organization that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America.
Mass.gov: Immigration Answer Book
Massachusetts Law About Immigration - A compilation of laws, regulations, cases, and web sources on immigration law.
Being undocumented is NOT a crime - "Know your rights!" Online tutorials, videos, flyers, and pocket cards!
"DACA: Key Things to Know!" By the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
Your Rights in the Border Zone - Nearly 2 out of 3 people live within the 100-mile border zone - and that means most of Massachusetts! FAQ-style posting from the ACLU's Speak Freely blog - by Adriana Pinon, Policy Counsel and Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of Texas
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under DACA. However, due to federal court orders on Jan. 9, 2018 and Feb. 13, 2018, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Read Commissioner Carlos E. Santiago's statement on DACA students
What is DACA?
On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a change in federal immigration policy regarding deportation enforcement for young immigrants that meet certain criteria, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This policy states that the federal government will “defer action” or not prosecute deportation cases for qualifying individuals for a period of two years from the time their application for “deferred action” is approved.
>> General information about DACA
In-State Tuition for DACA Beneficiaries
If approved, DACA beneficiaries will receive work permits in addition to deferred action status. Under the Board of Higher Education's residency policy, work permits make individuals eligible for in-state tuition at the Commonwealth’s 29 public college and university campuses, provided that they meet all other requirements.
>> Read the fact sheet on In-State Tuition for DACA Beneficiaries
Massachusetts ranks 19th out of 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam for approved DACA cases!
Massachusetts is home to 12,058 DACA residents!
-----Facts about immigrants & refugees (MIRA)
DACA Datasets:
-----Quarterly data - This report contains information on requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. The cumulative number of requests accepted for processing, biometrics appointments scheduled, requests ready for review and requests completed to-date are displayed.
-----DACA Population Data:
-----DACA Renewal Status:
-----Original information about DACA