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CUNY Immigrant Student Success

Undocumented Student Support

KCC Welcomes All Undocumented Students

Kingsborough Community College (KCC) is dedicated to educating and advocating for the immigrant students and families who make up the lifeblood of our city and state. The Immigrant Student Success page is an extension of Kingsborough’s dedication to serve immigrant students and their families. The resources in the Immigrant Student Success page help students understand their rights and the services available here at KCC to help students thrive in their educational journey regardless of citizenship status.

 

We Stand with Undocumented Students

As a college within the nation’s largest urban public university system, Kingsborough Community College (KCC) is dedicated to educating and advocating for the immigrant students and families who make up the lifeblood of our city and state. Through this page, we want to help you know your rights and thrive in your educational journey with guidance and resources that can help you stay safe and focused no matter your citizenship status. 

Undocumented students face an array of practical, bureaucratic and legal challenges in everyday life. This section breaks down some of the most essential legal information undocumented students need to know.

Undocumented    
Someone without lawful status to be present in the United States. One can be considered “undocumented” by having entered the country without permission,  inspection or parole; or by having their status expire, revoked, or rescinded (e.g. overstaying the authorized period of stay on a visa)    

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Undocumented or out-of-status students are eligible for in-state tuition based on their attendance and graduation from a New York State high school or a GED/TASC in New York State. Click here for more FAQs on financial aid.

 

Eligible for Federal Aid (PELL)

Eligible for State Aid (TAP)

Authorized for Employment

DACA

No

Yes

Yes

TPS

No

Yes

Yes

SIJ

Yes*

Yes*

Yes

Asylee

Yes*

 

Yes**

 

 

 

 

*If status is granted.

** IF independent Employment Authorization is Granted

 

Below are some of the scholarships that are highlighted because they are popular with undocumented CUNY students.

Chicano Organizing & Research in Education (Undocumented Students)

Founded with the intent to help undocumented students continue on their academic path.

TheDream.US (DACA recipients, TPS recipients)

Scholarships for highly motivated DREAMers who are unable to afford college tuition.

Immigrants Rising’s List (Undergraduate & Graduate Students)

Contains scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency.

MALDEF’s Scholarship List (Immigrant Students)

Informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.

New York Immigration Coalition Opportunity and Justice for All (Undocumented Students, DACA recipients)

Engages a cohort of undocumented and DACA students from CUNY in trainings and leadership and personal development and immigration organizing.

Soros Fellowship for New Americans (Immigrant students)

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States and provides education tuition.

 

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

Administrative Warrant
A warrant that holds little to know legal value. ICE officers cannot enter private spaces with this warrant because their own agency created it and thus, it was NOT signed by a judge.

Dignity for All Students Act
A New York State act signed into law in 2012 to provide all students, including immigrant-origin students, with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying (including cyberbullying).

F1 Visa
In general ‘F’ visas are issued for academic study purposes. F1 students need to take minimum credits required for full-time students in order to maintain their visas. This visa also allows for students to be employed on campus (less than 20 hr/week).

H1-B Visa
A non-immigrant visa that gives US companies the ability to employee graduate-level workers in specialized fields of work such as Medicine, STEM, Finance, Accounting, Architecture, etc. This visa can last up to six years. Current US Immigration law allows for there to be 65,000 H-1B visas issued each year, with 20,00 additional visas issued to foreign students who are in graduate-level programs.

Humanitarian Visas
A visa that allows a person to become a lawful permanent resident because they suffered some harm or were a victim of a crime. The most common humanitarian visas include the following statuses; refugee, asylee, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner, T visa for a victim of human trafficking, U visa for a crime victim, or special immigrant juvenile status (SIJ) for minors who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent.

I-9 Work Authorization
Documentation that proves that one can work. This documentation is usually given to employees by one’s employer.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
An agency within the Department of Homeland Security whose stated mission is to “protect America from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety.”

International Student
Non-immigrants who come to the United States temporarily to take classes at a U.S. University or place of higher education.

ITIN number
Issued to residents with foreign status and to undocumented immigrants. An ITIN is often used on tax forms as undocumented immigrants cannot be issued a social security number.

J1 VISA
Given to students who seek to obtain practical training in a given field that is not available in their native country in order to complete an academic program.

Judicial Warrant
A warrant that gives ICE officers permission to enter private spaces. This warrant is signed by a judge and includes the address of the Courthouse where it was signed.

Plyler v Doe
A 1982 Supreme Court ruling that established that all school-age K-12 students be afforded protections by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented students cannot be denied enrollment in public schools. Schools cannot ask about immigration status or social security numbers of their students and families.

Visiting Student
A person from overseas who applies to spend a semester or a year at another University outside of their home University.

 

KCC is committed to supporting all students, regardless of immigration status.
At KCC we work to advocate and empower all students across varying and changing statuses such as, but not limited to, undocumented, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum seeking, Temporary Protective Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U-Visa recipients, refugee, asylum granted, Cuban-Haitian entrant, parolee, T-visa recipients, persons designated under Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and those in mixed status families.

CUNY Immigrant Student Success.

Commitment to a Safe and Welcoming Campus

President's Message:

Sanctuary Campus Meeting Follow-up
Commitment to a Safe and Welcoming Campus

Many DACA students may also be eligible for other immigration benefits. At the New Americans Center, we do consultations on all immigration issues, so this gives them a chance to find out what else they may qualify for.

UPDATE: Understand President Biden’s Immigration Announcements

Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez

Understanding Your Status

Undocumented students face an array of practical, bureaucratic and legal challenges in everyday life. This section breaks down some of the most essential legal information undocumented CUNY students need to know.

Undocumented students face an array of practical, bureaucratic and legal challenges in everyday life. This section breaks down some of the most essential legal information undocumented students need to know.

Undocumented    
Someone without lawful status to be present in the United States. One can be considered “undocumented” by having entered the country without permission,  inspection or parole; or by having their status expire, revoked, or rescinded (e.g. overstaying the authorized period of stay on a visa)    

 

What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

Federal immigration program that was created by executive order under the Obama Administration in 2012; DACA provides eligible undocumented immigrants with:

  • Temporary protection from deportation
  • Work authorization
  • Ability to request Advance Parole.

On Oct. 5, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a decision partially affirmed the district court’s July 2021 order. While the DACA final rule is considered by the court, USCIS has modified its policies. That means:    

  1. USCIS will continue to accept and process renewal DACA requests, accompanying requests for employment authorization, and applications for advance parole for current DACA recipients.      
  2. USCIS will continue to accept but not process initial DACA requests.
  3. Current valid grants of DACA, related employment authorization, and advance parole will continue to be recognized as valid under the final rule.

What Happens Now?

While the Biden administration seeks a way to protect and strengthen DACA, holders are urged to renew      timely and consult with a qualified immigration law provider to discuss other potential options to remain in the United States with lawful status.

If you need assistance applying for DACA or renewing your application, please contact CUNY Citizenship Now!
At 646-664-9400 or text 929-334-3784. You can also email your questions to:
citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu.

If you are connected to the CUNY community in any way, please identify yourself as a CUNY student, faculty or staff member.

 

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.
Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status. However, registration for TPS does not prevent you from:

  • Applying for nonimmigrant status
  • Filing for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition
  • Applying for any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may be eligible

Countries Currently Designated for TPS

  • Afghanistan
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Cameroon
  • El Salvador
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Nepal
  • Nicaragua
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • South Sudan
  • Syria
  • Ukraine
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

 

If you need assistance applying for TPS, please contact CUNY Citizenship Now!
at 646-664-9400 or email us your questions at
citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu.

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ)

Minors (21 and under) in the United States who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by one or both parents, may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification. If this classification is granted, the minor may qualify for lawful permanent residency, also known as a Green Card.

Asylee

An individual in the US or at a port of entry who is afraid to return to their home country due to an actual or well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

The Problem

Before December 2019, over 700,000 people older than 16 weren’t allowed to apply for their driver’s license due to their undocumented immigration status.

This caused many problems, as many immigrants were not able to carry proper identification or even register and insure their cars — both of which are state law.

Because they didn’t have proper ID, many immigrants were at risk during police interactions, feared detention and even possible deportation.

The Green Light Law Act — The Solution

Enacted in December 2019, the Green Light Law Act, also known as “The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act”, allows all New Yorkers 16 years of age or older, including undocumented immigrants, to apply for a standard, non-commercial driver license or learner permit regardless of their citizenship or lawful status in the United States.

Under this Act, DMV officials are not allowed to ask about one’s citizenship or legal status here in the United States. You also do not need a Social Security card to apply for a license or permit under this law.

However, you must sign an Affidavit (sworn statement) of never having been issued a Social Security Number when you apply for a standard driver license. Also, a standard driver’s license cannot be for federal purposes, like boarding an airplane, or to enter the United States.

If you need assistance applying for DACA, TPS or naturalization please contact CUNY Citizenship Now!
at 646-664-9400 or email us your questions at
citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu.

We are living during unprecedented times. CUNY understands this. At CUNY, we want our students to know that we are always here for them. Below are several documents containing information on how to protect yourself or a loved one in the case of an ICE interaction.

ICE in Public

  • ICE officers DO NOT need a judicial warrant or an administrative warrant to speak to you in public.
  • If an ICE officer approaches you in public, first ask, “Am I free to go?” BEFORE giving them any of your personal information.
  • If they say no, you can say, “I want to use my right not to answer any of your questions.” This may not stop them from trying to detain you, but you are putting your right to remain silent to good use.

ICE at Home

  • If ICE comes knocking at your door, ask to see a JUDICIAL warrant. A judicial warrant is signed by a judge and is different from an administrative warrant.
  • ICE CAN NOT enter your home with an administrative warrant. This warrant has very little legal power, since it was created by ICE.
  • DO NOT open the door without seeing the judicial warrant. Either ask ICE to slide the warrant under the door OR to hold it up in the window.
  • If ICE enters your home, you have the right to REMAIN SILENT.
  • If ICE enters your home, you have the right to RECORD the interaction.
  • Do not LIE and do not give ICE officers FAKE documents.

ICE in the Workplace

  • If you are in a break-room that is for employees only at your place of work, ICE officers CAN NOT enter that space without a judicial warrant, due to that space being designated as ‘private.’
  • In the event of an ICE RAID, ICE will show up to your place of work unannounced. If ICE discovers unauthorized workers on the premises, they may arrest and detain them.
  • In the event of an ICE AUDIT, ICE may show up to your place of work unannounced or they may have given your employer prior notice. In this case, ICE will ask your employer to provide I-9 forms for all employees. If the I-9s are not on file, the employer has 3 days to provide them to ICE. Please note that your employer has the right to let you go if you cannot provide I-9 documentation.

 

Immigrant Success Liaisons

Kingsborough  Community College have designated staff to help you on campus. “Immigration Success Liaisons” can help you with questions about financial aid, enrollment, and other matters specific to your school. The Dream.US liaisons can help you apply to the TheDream.US scholarship. Use the list below to familiarize yourself with the staff who can support you in your KCC journey.

KCC IMMIGRANT STUDENT SUCCESS LIAISONS

Agata Bieda Krutysz
Admissions Processor and Operations Specialist
Phone: (718) 368-6513
Email:  Agata.Bieda-Krutysz@kbcc.cuny.edu 

Darren Yuen
Financial Aid Specialist/TAP Counselor
Room U-201
Email: Darren.Yuen@kbcc.cuny.edu
Phone: (718) 368-6853

Erick Myssura, Esq.
Managing Attorney New Americans Center
Phone: (718) 368-5787/5600 or (917) 342-2414 
Email: Erick.Myssura@kbcc.cuny.edu
https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/nac/index.html

Gavin Ireland, MBA
Director of Recruitment & International Student Affairs/DSO
DREAM.US Liaison
Room V-103
Gavin.Ireland@kbcc.cuny.edu
Phone: (718) 368-6800/4600
Zoom Virtual Office: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0uce2grjMoGdXpMYNI9zWxyrcjBYiIPy3q 

Hattie Elmore
Academic Student Support Program Director, Access Resource Center & Special Programs
Phone: 718-368-6713
Email: hattie.elmore@kbcc.cuny.edu

Helen-Margaret Nasser, MA
Director of Student Life | Student Union and Intercultural Center | Student Publications | Holocaust Memorial Center 
Room C123
Phone: (718) 368-4954

Maria Mejias
Administrative Executive
Phone: (718) 368-5051
Email: mmejias@kbcc.cuny.edu
Room A214
Language: English and Spanish

Marisa Joseph
Director of Career Services
Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning
marisa.joseph@kbcc.cuny.edu or careerdevelopment@kbcc.cuny.edu
Phone: (718) 368-5115

 

Natalie Bredikhina, M.S., M.A.
Director, Academic/ESL Programs, Cont. Ed
Room T-231
Tel. (718) 368-4870, Fax (718) 368-4875
NBredikhina@kbcc.cuny.edu 
Zoom Virtual Office Meeting ID: 857 4347 7610
CLIP: CLIP.KCC@kbcc.cuny.edu or www.kbcc.cuny.edu/clip   
ESL-70 Program email: ESL_KELI@kbcc.cuny.edu