DREAMer

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) refers to an Executive Order that President Obama enacted in 2012. DACA applies to undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16.

DACA allows qualifying individuals to apply for a temporary (2-year) work permit, temporary Social Security number (valid for work authorization only), and protection from deportation. Students can reapply for renewal of deferred action every two years.

"Deferred action" is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. DACA does not grant lawful immigration status or provide a path to citizenship. It only is a temporary measure.

Source: https://www.ilrc.org/daca

You may request DACA if you:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
5. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor,or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Source: USCIS- Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
 

The California Dream Act program allows certain undocumented and out-of-state students (“Dreamers”) to qualify for in-state tuition and receive certain forms of financial aid while attending public colleges and universities in California.

The California Dream Act of 2011 is the name given to AB 130 & 131, which allow students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities. AB 131 also allows AB 540 students to apply for and receive state-funded institutional grants and waivers like the BOGW, EOPS, UC Grants, State University Grants, Cal Grants and the Chafee grant.

AB 540 also allows non-resident students who meet certain qualifications to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities.

To qualify for in-state tuition at a public California college/university under AB 540 you must:

• Complete 3 years of high school in California.     

OR

• Attain credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to 3 or more years of full time high school coursework and have attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of 3 or more years.        

AND

• Graduate or obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma or certificate of completion.      

 AND

• You must also complete an AB540 affidavit (California Non- Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) at the college/university that you will attend stating that you meet AB540 eligibility requirements.