UCLA
Undocumented Student Program

Support for Undocumented Students in Response to the Rescission of DACA

Message from Chancellor Block on the ending of DACA

I am deeply disappointed by President Trump’s announcement that the federal government will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA has provided valuable resources for those within our UCLA community who qualify for the program, including access to a work permit. UCLA stands in solidarity with all of our students, especially our undocumented students, for whom the federal government’s action will be met with fear and uncertainty. It is important to remember that financial aid provided to undocumented AB540 students is unaffected by the federal government’s decision to end DACA.

To our DACA students: Please be assured that UCLA will continue to provide you and student groups with information and campus support services, including legal and counseling services, in the days and months ahead. UCLA will also continue to abide by the University of California Statement of Principles in Support of Undocumented Members of the UC Community, which pledges that each UC school will continue to comply with broad federal and state privacy rights and other rights that provide protection to all members of the UC Community.

See full message from Chancellor Block

The UCLA Undocumented Student Program

To our undocumented community: The UCLA Undocumented Student Program (USP) in the Bruin Resource Center wants to acknowledge that since the election, you and your family may have been impacted by the political climate in very real ways. That has been intensified by the news regarding DACA and its future. Please know that our commitment to the undocumented community is vigorous. We stand with and for you. We see you. We will do everything we can to support you and your families.

Please stop by our new space in the Student Activities Center B52. Let’s check in on one another. No question or fear regarding DACA is too small or too great.

USP Staff Contact Information

UC Immigrant Legal Services Center: Response to DACA Rescission

The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center is deeply disappointed to share news that you may have already heard today: the President has stated he will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program on March 5, 2018.

This is what it means:

  • Effective September 5, 2017, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is no longer accepting first-time DACA applications
  • If you are a current DACA recipient, your Employment Authorization Document (EAD or “work permit”) is valid until the expiration date on your EAD card even if that is after March 5, 2018. Once your EAD card expires, you will no longer be able to renew your work authorization under the DACA program and continue to work lawfully.
  • USCIS will continue to process pending DACA initial and DACA renewal applications filed before September 5, 2017 until March 5, 2018.
  • USCIS will accept DACA renewal application for current beneficiaries whose DACA is set to expire between Sept. 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018 if the renewal application has been accepted by Oct. 5, 2017. Generally speaking this renewal will be for a period for 2 years.
  • You can no longer apply for Advance Parole to travel outside the country. If you have a pending Advance Parole associated with DACA it will be closed and your fee refunded.
  • If you are out of the country with DACA based Advance Parole we encourage you to work with an attorney and return to United States as soon as practicable.
  • If your EAD is lost or stolen and needs to be replaced you can file for a replacement.
  • Even if your DACA EAD remains valid, being a DACA recipient may not protect you if you encounter ICE. Please remember to exercise your right to remain silent and carry a Know Your Rights card.
  • The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) created a helpful handout addressing work permits and employment, Social Security Numbers, state ID cards, travel on Advance Parole, Know Your Rights and more – we highly recommend you review this information.

See full message

Financial Aid and Scholarships: Information for DACA students

Financial Aid and Scholarships understands that today’s announcement ending DACA is incredibly worrying for our Dream Students. What that in mind we want to reassure you of some things regarding financial aid.

  • AB 540 status is authorized in state law, so it will not be affected by the decision to end DACA Support for the AB 540 law remains strong at the University of California and among California policy makers.
  • The financial aid available to undocumented AB 540 students comes from state and UC sources. Therefore, the decision to end DACA will not have a direct effect on the ability of undocumented students to access financial aid coming from state, institutional and private sources.

See full message - Information of DACA Students

UC Regents affirm support for DACA and Dreamers

We are profoundly troubled by the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the DACA program that has given more than 800,000 young people the freedom to live, work and study in the only country most of them have known as home. The administration’s decision makes it imperative for Congress to enact bipartisan legislation that will reform our broken immigration system and provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers, thousands of whom attend the University of California.

See full message - UC Regents affirm support for DACA and Dreamers

Statement of Support from Dean of UCLA Law School

Today the president took action to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy unless Congress acts before March 2018. Among other things, DACA allows for college enrollment, work permits and deferred deportation proceedings for those who were brought as children to the United States without documentation and who meet other legal requirements. Many of those eligible for DACA are currently enrolled in colleges and universities across the country, including, of course here at UCLA and at our law school.

These Dreamers enrich our community and strengthen our schools and our nation. They are dedicated, passionate, and making a difference. I am enormously disappointed to see the preside nt’s action today, which will unfortunately create uncertainty and stress for these bright, talented young people, for whom, in many cases, the United States is the only country they have known as home.

To our DACA students, I say this: I stand with you, and UCLA Law stands with you. I commit that we will do all within our power to support our students who have relied on DACA and the California Dream Act in order to pursue their passion for justice and a legal education.

See full message - Statement of Support from Dean of UCLA Law School

Additional Campus Resources


Additional Information on DACA and Immigration

UC Office of the President

United States Department of Homeland Security

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC):

National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: Statement on Trump’s Decision on DACA