Yuba College welcomes and supports all undocumented students and families!
The Higher Education Legal Services Project, in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and Yuba College, provides FREE immigration legal services to California Community Colleges students, faculty, and staff. This California-funded effort connects trusted legal service providers with individuals in need to assess their unique case and plan for their future. Priority for services is given to students, staff, faculty, dual-enrolled students, noncredit course students, and adult education students. DACA fees for eligible students attending California Community Colleges are covered. Starting November 1, 2023 application fees for Advance Parole and Naturalization will also be covered by the program. Services include:- Immigration Relief Screening
- DACA Renewals
- Advance Parole
- Naturalization/Citizenship
- Adjustment of Status
- Family-Based Immigration
- Know Your Rights
Student Resources and Questions
+ Know Your Rights
- If an immigration officer approaches you on campus to ask for your personal information, please know you do not have to answer any questions or disclose any information regarding where you were born or how you entered the United States. Please direct any immigration officers to the Office of your College President or the Office of the District Chancellor. If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your college’s administration, or student resource offices. You can also reach out to your campus counseling center for confidential support and guidance. For more information, please visit https://www.yccd.edu/board/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
- All people in the U.S., whether citizen or non-citizen, have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws. They are the following:
- You have the right to refuse consent for immigration or the police to search yourself, your car or your home.
- You have the right to remain silent. If you want to exercise that right, you should say it out loud.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, you have the right to call the consulate of your home country. Immigration and police must let your consulate visit or speak with you.
- You have the right to speak to an attorney before answering any questions. You may say, “I will remain silent until I speak to an attorney.”
- You do not have to sign anything that you do not understand.
- You have the right to a copy of all your immigration papers.
- RED Cards: All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC's red cards give examples of how people can exercise these rights in real situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. However, they do not provide individualized legal advice. Community members are encouraged to check in with a trusted legal service provider for questions about their situation.
+ Prospective Students
- The California Dream Act became law through the passage of two Assembly Bills – AB 130 and AB 131. They allow students who meet AB540 criteria to become eligible to apply for state-funded financial aid. Undocumented students who have applied and been admitted to Yuba College should review the AB-540 criteria to determine their eligibility to pay in-state tuition. If eligible, a California nonresident tuition exemption form should be filled out and submitted to the Admissions Office.
- AB 540: Under California Law AB 540, certain nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition. California is one of six states in the nation that offer state financial aid to undocumented students. The types of financial aid undocumented students can apply for depends on their residency status. The California Dream Act, which requires students to meet AB 540/ SB 68 eligibility, increases the options of state financial aid. Not all AB 540 students are undocumented immigrants. Citizens and permanent residents who would otherwise be classified as residents of other states who meet AB 540 criteria can qualify as California residents for tuition purposes and any financial aid benefits. Visit the CSAC California Dream Act website for more information.
- AB 540 Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have attended a California high school for 3 or more full academic years (between grades 9 through 12, inclusive and does not need to be consecutive years); AB2000 modifies this section, to also include students who attain credits in a California high school equivalent to 3 or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of 3 or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.
- Must have or will graduate from a California high school or have attained a G.E.D.; or received a passing mark on the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE);
- Must register or is currently enrolled at an accredited institution of public higher education in California;
- Must file the CA Nonresident Exemption Request as required by individual institutions, stating that the filer will apply for legal residency as soon as possible
- Must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, E, etc.)
- If you meet these criteria visit Yuba College Admissions Office and complete the AB-540 Affidavit form.
+ I want to learn more about paying for college!
- Understanding all the financial aid options and requirements is challenging for all students. Our Yuba College Financial Aid team is here to help you! Visiting or speaking with our financial aid office is your first step in getting help! Luckily they have a student liaison to help you with resources for students with an undocumented status. You can speak to financial aid through phone, Zoom, or in-person; find their contact information on their Financial Aid website. Financial Aid staff can help you with:
- Paying in-state tuition: AB 540 Qualification
- California DREAM Act Application
- California DREAM Act Service Incentive Grant Program
- California Promise Grant Eligibility and Application
+ Necesito información en español - I need information in Spanish
- Muchos departamentos en Yuba College tienen personal que hablan español. Algunas de las oficinas principales con las que los estudiantes interactúan son Ayuda Financiera, programas de apoyo estudiantil como EOPS, CARE, NextUp y CalWORKs, TRIO, Puente y MESA. Estas oficinas tienen personas que hablan español, a quienes tú o tu familia pueden pedir al llamar o visitar."
Faculty and Staff Resources and Questions
+ I want to learn more about students with an undocumented status. Where can I learn more?
- Immigrant Rising is a great resource for anyone to start to learn more. Specifically, there information on Overview of Undocumented Students website is helpful. Explore the entire Immigrant Rising website for more resources. As you read and learn more, ensure that you remain open to understand each student individually, as there is no univeral undocumented student experience.
+ I have an undocumented student that is in crisis, and I'm not sure how to help them!
- The student may be in crisis for many different reasons and they have chosen you as a trusted person. If you are comfortable, you are always able to help the student emotionally. You should familiarize yourself with the resources that exist for students:
- Timely Care: FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services for mental health. Find more information on the Yuba College Timely Care website!
- Legal Services: Legal consultation or services may be the best help for the student. Yuba College's free legal provider is Immigrant Legal Defense. They can help with a number of services and can be found through FindYourAlly.com
+ What number of students are part of the undocumented student population at Yuba College?
- Information about undocumented students is only partially collected and can be found on the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Data Mart. According to the Data Mart for Spring 2024:
- 69 students were listed with "Other Status".
- 245 students were listed with a status of "Unknown/Uncollected".
- We must not ignore the experiences of our mixed-status families. Mixed-status families are primarily defined as having at least one immediate family member who is undocumented, often a parent. This situation brings significant fear and stress to students during:
- College applications
- Financial aid processes
- Interactions within our college community
Meet Yulisa, a graduating Yuba College sophomore, who will transfer to Chico State this fall. Yulisa felt welcome as soon as she walked in the door, took advantage of tutoring and other Yuba College services, which allowed her to meet (and exceed) her educational goals. "Dream ... don't be afraid."