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Resources for undocumented students during Covid-19 and beyond, Last updated 5/22/2020
Dear FSU Community,
With the U.S. Supreme Court holding oral arguments earlier this week on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, I recognize this could be a difficult time for our DACA and undocumented students and families. According to the National Immigration Law Center, the Supreme Court will likely issue its final decision close to the end of June 2020, though it could come as early as January 2020.
I’m reaching out in solidarity and to reaffirm that we will continue to support our DACA and undocumented students. FSU will advocate for the right of our DACA students to remain in this country, which is their home.
This uncertain time may be impacting students in many different ways. I encourage you to take advantage of the resources available on our campus and in our community. These include the University’s Counseling Center, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, the Center for Inclusive Excellence, and the Dean of Students Office.
Additionally, there are resources compiled here: https://libguides.framingham.edu/daca
The Framingham State University community stands firmly on the side of our DACA and undocumented students. We will keep you apprised if we learn more about actions being taken at the state or federal level related to this issue. Please reach out if I, or others, can be helpful at this time.
Sincerely,
Javier
Dear Members of the MA Board of Higher Education:
By now you are all aware of the unfortunate decision of the administration in Washington DC to discontinue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Governor Charlie Baker has spoken out against the decision. Likewise, all across this nation higher education institutions, their leadership, academic associations, and non-governmental organizations have denounced this unfortunate decision. I join my colleague presidents at our community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses in Massachusetts in their opposition as well. They have spoken eloquently about the need to ensure students continue their education and they know firsthand the importance of student success for the future of the Massachusetts economy.
Although I was not born in the continental United States, I was born in a US territory where citizenship was granted in 1917. It was the luck of the draw where I was granted citizenship yet others (through no fault of their own) have not been as fortunate. But we all share a common ideal that if you study hard and work diligently you will become a productive member of society and be welcome in this country. Over the last year I have traveled to our public institutions to speak with many students, particularly international and undocumented students who felt that the anti-immigrant sentiment they were feeling on a daily basis was impacting their ability to study, learn, and contribute to their communities. The fear was palpable and now we know it was justified.
The fundamental purpose of the BHE is to promote higher education in the Commonwealth to the benefit of all members of our society. We can only hope that our judicial and legislative branches of government will address the changing reality impacting DACA students. I will keep you apprised of developments and will bring forward proposals for your discussion that will help us find a solution that is just and fair. I know that Chair Gabrieli shares these sentiments and I thank him for his steadfast support of all students in the Commonwealth.
C. Santiago
Framingham State University will not disclose private information about our students, faculty, or staff to law enforcement officers unless presented with a warrant, subpoena, court order or other legal requirement, or authorized by the student. Framingham State University Police will not act as agents for or assist the federal government in immigration enforcement actions unless required by law.
On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.
On Sept. 5, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the orderly phase out of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DHS will provide a limited, six-month window during which it will consider certain requests for DACA and applications for work authorization, under specific parameters.
The Department of Homeland Security will only adjudicate DACA renewal requests for current beneficiaries whose benefits will expire between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018. If your EAD expires between those dates your renewal application must be received by Oct. 5, 2017 to be adjudicated.
Initial requests for DACA (for people who have never benefited from the program before), will no longer be accepted by the Department of Homeland Security. If you filed an initial request for an EAD on or before Sept. 5, 2017, the agency should adjudicate the application if it was properly filed.
Advance parole (travel document) requests associated with DACA will no longer be approved, regardless of when Form I-131 was filed.
On January 9, 2018 Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered a halt to the federal government's termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Judge Alsup granted a preliminary injection, a temporary order blocking the termination of DACA while the case goes forward, requiring U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to begin accepting DACA renewal applications again. USCIS announced it's process for accepting renewal applications on January 13, 2018, stating that further guidance about DACA renewal applications under the cour order would be provided later.
Additional information available from the National Immigration Law Center.
On August 31, 2018, Judge Andrew Hansen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued an opinion and order rejecting Texas and nine other states' request that the court temporarily halt DACA.
However, the USCIS is still accepting and processing DACA renewal applications.
Additional information available from the National Immigration Law Center.
On September 22, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release with the text of the public charge rule. The public charge rule was offically published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018.
UPDATE:
Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday November 14, 2019 on the Trump's Administration intention to end the DACA program.
All FSU students are eligible for health care with no copay and no insurance at the Health Center - it is covered by their student fees. We refer students to free STI clinics for testing if they do not have or do not want to use insurance. We also carry many sample medications for treating infections and run free pregnancy tests, rapid strep and mono tests. An appointment would be needed (walk in or call 508-626-4900 to book one appointment (same day is usually available).
We offer free cold care kits with things like cough drops and ibuprofen/tylenol, decongestant and disposable thermometers to all students. If any student is in need of these items, simply ask at the front desk - no appointment needed.
A number of the nurses in the Health Center volunteer at MetroWest Free Medical Program in Framingham and/or Sudbury. All medical services, including women's health and eye exams are available at the program. Interpreters for Spanish and Portuguese are always on-site. The clinic sees anyone in need, regardless of immigration status. The website is: http://metrowestfreemedicalprogram.org/ with links to Spanish and Portuguese pages. The clinic is for all ages, so even if the students have Health Insurance and access here on campus, their family members may benefit from this program.
The Health Center is very interested in being a resource for students, especially at this time. All of our services are confidential and we never share any information with anyone without explicit permission from the student.