DACA Faces Challenge

The recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is illegal. The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, to which the College belongs, is working to push for Congressional action protecting Dreamers and those who may have been unjustly locked out of DACA. The Alliance issued a statement calling on Congress to protect the over 600,000 people currently with DACA status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also provides a frequently asked questions list, containing additional information that can guide anyone who finds themselves with questions about how this ruling may impact their current status and options. 

Montgomery College currently has over 80 DACA students enrolled. Those with DACA status can keep it for the moment, but new applications are not being processed. 

Dreamers and Other Undocumented Students Presentation

 Attached, please find the PowerPoint on Dreamers and Other Undocumented Students presented at today’s discipline meeting.

On behalf of the International Counseling Team.

Support Services for DACA Students

* Those whose DACA will expire sometime before March 2018 need to file an extension NOW, before October 5, 2017.

______________________

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE

Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

September 15, 2017

MEMORANDUM

To:                   Montgomery College Students

From:               Dr. Monica R.M. Brown, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

Subject:            Support Services for DACA students

As you may have read in the news or in Dr. Pollard’s message to the College community, the federal government announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will end next year Many of our students have DACA status, and we hope Congress will act swiftly to enact a permanent solution for all individuals who came to this country as a child. I know this is a difficult time and your concerns might make it hard for you to study and learn. It is our mission as an institution and a division to support you, and I want to make you aware of resources at the College and in the community that you may find helpful.

I have DACA status. What do I do now?

Current DACA recipients will be permitted to retain both the period of deferred action and their employment authorization documents (EADs) until they expire. Some basic information about deadlines is available at the Department of Homeland Security:

·         On an individual, case-by-case basis, properly filed pending DACA requests received as of September 5, 2017 will be considered

·         If your DACA status is scheduled to expire between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018, you must apply for renewal by October 5, 2017.

·         If your DACA status will expire after March 5, 2018, you retain your status until its expiration

My DACA status made me eligible for county or state tuition rates.  Will that change?

Your tuition rate will not change if your DACA status has not expired. We strongly encourage you to complete the Maryland Dream Act process described at www.montgomerycollege.edu/marylanddream to maintain county or state tuition rates if your DACA status expires. This will also help you maintain lower tuition rates when you transfer to a Maryland college or university. The termination of the DACA program does not affect the Maryland Dream Act regarding tuition rates, because it is a Maryland state law.

Will the College share my DACA status with anyone?

The College protects the confidentiality of all student information and follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws.

On Campus Resources

·         Enrollment Services Specialists are available at each campus to assist students with questions about their tuition rates and the Maryland Dream Act process.

·         Counselors are available at each campus if you would like to talk and process any emotions that you may be experiencing during this time.

Off-Campus/Community Resources

·         Montgomery County residents are encouraged to contact MC311 (dial 311 by phone) if they are in need of legal resources or other support services.

·         For legal advice, this link to community resources in the State of Maryland may be of assistance.

·         The Intercultural Counseling Connection also has a variety of resources for refugees and immigrants in Montgomery County and throughout the State of Maryland.

·         CASA de Maryland is hosting a series of DACA renewal clinics between now and October 5^th. http://wearecasa.org/events/category/featured/

The Student Senate at the Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus will be hosting an open community conversation on Monday, September 18th from 4 – 6 p.m. The conversation will take place in the Cultural Arts Center, Theatre 1. Additional forums on each campus to answer questions about your DACA status and college enrollment and to assist students with Maryland Dream Act and other paperwork will be held. Dates and times will be announced in all College media.

The faculty and staff in the Student Affairs Division are here to assist and support you should you encounter any challenges or have questions related to this change. Please call 240-567-5000 or visit a Welcome Center on campus to be directed to the most appropriate College resource. 

UMD - Dream Act

For undocumented students transferring to UM, please refer them to the linked page (found below in Michelle Tan’s email)  to find out about getting instate tuition under the Maryland Dream Act or the Deferred Action program. Thanks to outreach to the Admissions Office by one of our former alumni that was actively involved in the dreamer movement, Maryland has expanded the information on this topic and it is now easier to find on their webpage.

From: Michelle Giok Ling Tan [mailto:mtan@umd.edu]

We have updated our Residency Reclassificationpage to include information for the Maryland Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Please share with your students who are eligible for the above categories.

Dream Act, Refund Appeals and Involuntary Withdrawals at Rockville

I’m pleased to announce that Katie Grocki began her new position as Enrollment Services Specialist at the Rockville Campus.  She is located in MK278. Her new extension is 77237. She is also the Acting Course Scheduling Manager.

Katie will work mainly with Athletic Eligibility and HB104, to ensure that MC remains in compliance. She will also be responsible for Dream Act, Refund Appeals and Involuntary Withdrawals on the Rockville campus.