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Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access

Undocumented and DACA Students

Welcome to HaverDream: information, resources, and guidelines for undocumented and DACAmented students at Haverford College.

Haverford welcomes applications from undocumented students and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including undocu+ students. We use the term undocu+ here to encompass the many facets of this population, including students who are undocumented themselves, those whose parents or other family members are undocumented, or students who have DACA.

  • Definitions

    "The term “undocumented” refers to people who are not citizens or Permanent Residents in the country they reside in; who do not hold a visa to reside in that country, and who have not applied for legal residency in that country. In this case, undocumented refers to people who are not U.S. citizens and have not completed the process and been approved to legally reside in the U.S. Additionally, a person can become undocumented if they continue to reside in the U.S. after the date their visa is set to expire.

    The term "undocumented+" refers to people who are undocumented as well as those who hold DACA or TPS status and/or who come from mixed immigration status families (people who hold U.S. citizenship and who have family members who do not). While each group may have a different status and encounter its own set of experiences, all groups are likely to face similar (or somewhat similar) circumstances.

    Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

    A program announced on June 12, 2012, by President Barack Obama that is to protect individuals who qualify from deportation and give them a work permit for 2 years. Individuals who are approved for the program are DACAmented.

    • The program is currently not accepting applications for first-time applicants however, current DACAmented individuals may apply to renew their status.
    • Deferred Action does not provide lawful status.

    Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

    A temporary immigration status granted to nationals of certain countries due to armed conflict or natural disaster. View the full list of countries currently designated for TPS at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status.

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Students walking on Founders Green heading toward Lutnick Library

Our Commitment

Haverford College embraces as a core principle of its educational mission an unwavering commitment to developing and nurturing a diverse, inclusive community. This commitment is underwritten by a collective responsibility to do everything within the College's power to protect each member of the College community, and each person who comes in contact with the College, from discrimination, harassment, inequity, or other harm.

  • The College's Policies and Procedures

    The College's policies and procedures regarding non-United States citizens were codified by the Board of Managers, via resolution, in December, 2016 and updated in April, 2023:

    • The College affirms its continuing adherence to strict practices governing the protection of student and employee information, does not release any private student material without consent from the student or an appropriate court order or legal warrant, and will refuse participation in any voluntary act or program (including "E-Verify" or any registration system) that would make such information available to government officials or others.
    • Campus Safety will continue to refrain from making inquiries or keeping records regarding the immigration status or religion of either community members or campus visitors.
    • The College will not cooperate with agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or other immigration officers seeking access to persons or spaces on campus in order to enforce federal immigration law unless ordered to do so by specific court action such as a warrant or signed waiver.
    • Haverford's entire campus is a designated protected space, including residential, dining, learning spaces, and the Nature Trail. Immigration officials must obtain a valid legal warrant before gaining access.
    • The College will continue to meet the full financial need of all admitted students, including undocumented students notwithstanding the possibility that the latter will lose access to Pell Grants (or other forms of federal assistance) and employment opportunities if denied protections currently provided by DACA.
    • The College will continue to work with educational and legal partners, from the Tri-Co and Quaker Consortium to other liberal arts and higher educational associations, to sustain and expand the DACA program, which has widened opportunities for education, employment, and social mobility among hundreds of thousands of "undocumented" young people.
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On-Campus Supports

  • John P. Chesick Scholars Program
    Most students who are undocu+ also fall into one or more of the identities served by the Chesick Scholars Program (those students who are the first in their families to earn a Bachelor’s degree in the US and/or those from a low-income background). If you qualify as a Chesick Scholar, you will be automatically enrolled in the program and have access to all the supports and resources available.
  • Office of International Student Support
    While undocu+ students may not consider themselves to be international students, there are certain bureaucratic aspects of their time at the college that will require them to identify as such. Therefore, the Office of International Student Support can be a helpful resource.
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
  • Center for Career and Professional Advising (CCPA)

Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education & Immigration

An alliance of American college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses and communities.

Read the latest news

Tri-co Undocu+ Student Support Committee

This committee brings staff members from Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore Colleges together several times per semester to discuss policies and procedures, share resources, and work on making more information and pathways available to our undocu+ students.

Resources

  • Student Support

    Community Resources

    • Myundocumentedlife.org is a great site where students can find up-to-date information and news on issues relating to undocu+ students, as well as “strategies for navigating the educational system while undocumented”. They also post scholarships.
    • United We Dream is a youth-led network that informs, educates, and empowers young undocu+ immigrants. They have several resources for summer programs like “Summer of Dreams'' and mental health resources.
    • Immigrants Rising Wellness Support Groups help undocumented people stay grounded and connected to the community. Groups re-open periodically, so check back another day if they are currently full.

    More Resources

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  • Legal Services

    DACA

    Know Your Rights

    • Informed Immigrant – Know Your Rights
      Learn about your full rights regardless of status. They emphasize students carrying a Red Card, which notes all their rights and also procedures they should take when an officer encounters them. Red Cards are available in 13 different languages.
    • Know your Rights while Protesting
      The two videos from The University of Utah on people’s rights to protest and the protections that Undocu+ people have when protesting.

    Finding Immigration Lawyers or Legal Aid

    • Free 30 minute legal consultations are offered annually in the spring. Email hc-sdea [at] haverford.edu for more information.
    • AILA's Immigration Lawyer Search
      The AILA is a great resource for students who need an immigration lawyer. The service is limited to issues regarding DACA students, deportation, and naturalization.
    • Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrant Children
      This resource is specifically for undocu+ students under the age 21 that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents.
       
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  • Study Abroad for DACA students
    • Informedimmigrant.com has very simple and updated information on immigrant’s rights. The site gives a quick overview on how DACA students (and DACA students ONLY) can travel abroad through Advance Parole. It also talks about the potential risks.
    • Higheredimmigrationportal.org also have extensive information on DACA and undocumented students’ available paths and rights. This site has collected the necessary information for DACA students to travel outside the state and study abroad. It also has a well organized powerpoint on the topic of Advanced Parole for DACA recipients
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  • Internship and career development opportunities for undocumented/DACA students

    Guidelines for Haverford’s Internship/Fellowship Programs Friendly to Undocu+ Students

    • Fellowships and Other Non-Employment Based Opportunities for Undocumented Students: This link details non-employment based opportunities, using examples and providing resources. The most important point is that the fellowship or internship opportunity cannot be an employment relationship. “To receive an internship stipend or a living stipend, the internship must focus on training, should incorporate a learning component, and may in no way constitute an employment relationship.”
    • This PDF is a great guideline that accurately outlines the funding/financial aid/payment options based on Immigration status.
    • Parker Dewey This organization offers internship opportunities to Undocu+ students. However, for Undocu+ students to work, they need an Individual Tax ID Number ITIN

    List of Fellowships that do not require US Citizenship

    • Immigrants Rising: A resource for finding legal, sustainable, and empowering ways for undocu+ students to cultivate professional experience, financial stability, and experience.
    • The Toolkit (PDF): this dense guidebook informs everything the student needs to know on “ways to earn a living through entrepreneurship regardless of status.” It provides step by step instructions, lessons/teachings both students and faculty/staff should be educated on, and the required forms/files needed.
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  • Paths to Income Generation
    • Life After College: a guide for undocumented students (PDF)
    • Independent Contracting “An individual or entity is not required to obtain Form I-9 from independent contractors or sporadic domestic workers.”
    • “Individuals or entities are generally not obligated to affirmatively verify the work authorization of individuals whom they engage as independent contractors”
    • Federal Statute 8 U.S. Code 1324a(a)(4) prohibits an individual or entity from knowingly engaging an unauthorized individual to provide services as a contractor”
      • In other words, if an employer is aware that an employee’s work authorization has expired, he or she cannot contract with them.
      • Therefore being a self-contractor is a safe option even for DACA students.
    • Participating in the Gig Economy
    • Starting a Business
    • Immigrants Rising – A Guide to Working for Yourself (PDF)
      • The guide gives a quick overview that the path for undocu+ students as independent contractors is a possibility.
      • The forms needed to work as an independent contractor W-7 Form:
        • Only needed to get an ITIN if you do not have a SSN and are not eligible to get one.
        • W-9 Form: You give a W9 form to each entity you do business with.
        • 1099 Form: You get back a 1099 form at the end of year from each entity you conducted business with that paid you more than $600 in one year. You use this form to file your taxes.
        • Written (and customized) Contract: Given to each entity you do business with to justify your working relationship, outline your services, fees and duration of contract, and protect your intellectual property.
        • Invoice: Given to each entity you do business with to get paid.
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  • Beyond Haverford
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Contacts

She/Her/Hers
Associate Director, Chesick Launch
370 Lancaster Ave
(610) 795-8135
lcastrejon [at] haverford.edu
Make an Appointment
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She/Her/Ella
Assistant Vice President for Student Diversity, Equity, and Access

Ask Me About: The work of the SDEA Team and the COML's, your experience at Haverford College as a historically underserved student, campus food insecurity, cultural heritage months, Thrive, and most importantly, support you need from my office/team.

Stokes 104 B
(610)896-1000
rjoyce [at] haverford.edu
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Assistant:
Leah Vedder
she/her/hers
Director of the John P. Chesick Scholars Program

Ask Me About: Programs for first-generation/low-income students, DACA and undocumented students, LIFTFAR funding

370 Lancaster Ave
cmrose [at] haverford.edu
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