Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.
These are not just buzzwords to us here at Columbia Basin College. We are proud to uphold our core values with inclusive and equitable education offered to a diverse population of students from all walks of life, including undocumented immigrants here in Washington State. We are committed to providing a safe place for dreamers to dream and students to learn, grow and pursue their educational goals.
At CBC, we are committed to working with and for undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. We will work to connect undocumented students with allies who can provide them with additional support and resources.
Our faculty and staff are knowledgeable on undocumented student issues and are ready and willing to support you. Undocumented students can expect to find a safe and judgement-free environment with support and access to a variety of resources and information.
House Bill 1079 (HB 1079)
HB 1079 allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Washington state colleges and universities.
SBCTC DACA Statement_ October 14, 2022.
Hello Hawks,
On behalf of and in community with our Washington Community & Technical College members, I want to share our system's statement in support of our students and their families regarding the October 5, 2022, decision that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful, by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The court also ruled that current DACA enrollees could renew their status and sent the case back to a lower court to consider a regulation enacted by the Biden administration to strengthen the DACA program against legal challenges.”
“DACA was introduced as an executive order in 2012 to protect eligible immigrants who came to the United States as children to work legally and continue their studies without the debilitating fear of deportation. Today, nearly 600,000 people are active in the DACA program, including many of Washington’s community and technical college students.
Students in the DACA program are part of the fabric of our college communities. They are students, classmates, friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, and members of our local communities. Dreamers elevate our culture and our economy and create a brighter future for Washington.”
Please know that CBC remains committed to supporting our undocumented students and their families, regardless of whether they have DACA status. CBC’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values ensure that we continue to center those who are most impacted when policies and procedures become barriers that impact educational success. Even with these protections in an indeterminate state, we continue to be steadfast in our commitment to supporting our students and will work to ensure that students are able to continue their education.
We are committed to our DEI values as foundations to access and success in higher education which is also in line with our State Board’s goal to “lead with racial equity.” We will continue to do everything we can to help and protect our students, families, colleagues, neighbors, and friends.
In solidarity,
Dr. Rebekah Woods
Eligibility
Undocumented students can pay in-state tuition rates if they:
- Completed the full senior year of high school and obtained a high school diploma at a Washington public or private high school or received the equivalent of a diploma;
- Lived in Washington for at least three calendar years (36 months) immediately prior to receiving the diploma or its equivalent;
- Continuously lived in the state of Washington after receiving the diploma or its equivalent and until such time as the student is admitted to an institution of higher education.
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
The new, nationally recognized Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) makes education and training beyond high school affordable. More families are eligible, and more programs and types of credentials are included, in addition to HB1079. Visit Ready. Set. Grad. for more information.
Continued Eligibility for DACA Students
In general, DACA individuals who have established state residency will continue to be eligible for financial aid (WASFA), if they meet HB 1079 eligibility.
As a reminder, previous and current guidance includes:
- Residency classification remains unchanged unless contrary evidence is presented/discovered.
- The receiving institution may accept the residency determination from a previous institution.
Please do not hesitate to contact the State Need Grant team. Residency questions can be directed to the Residency Team at the Washington State Achievement Council.
Scholarships: Don't stop dreaming!
Many scholarships offer undocumented students the chance to earn their degrees without accumulating more debt. Check out the following sites for more information!
Frequently Asked Questions
Every attempt has been made to include accurate and up-to-date information. However, the information in this FAQ is not legal advice. Every person’s situation is different. We want to encourage those directly impacted to consult with a legal professional for additional information on legal options.
In compliance with an order of a United States District Court, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is:
- Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
- Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
- Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA
policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4,
2020, order;
Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and
Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years. - USCIS will take appropriate steps to provide evidence of the one-year extensions of deferred action and employment authorization documents under DACA to individuals who were issued documentation on or after July 28, 2020, with a one-year validity period under the defunct policy.
DHS will comply with the order while it remains in effect, but DHS may seek relief from the order.
Please see the latest guidance from USCIS.
Yes, it is import to RENEW NOW! The current policy to allow for DACA renewals could change soon. The Trump Administration may ask a court to stop the order or announce a new change in policy.
To renew:
- Fill out a renewal application, form I-821D, in black ink;
- Fill out forms I-765 and I-765WS, in black ink, or typed;
- Fill out optional form G-1145, in black ink, or typed; *optional*
- Get your passport-style photos taken. The application requires two passport-style photos, attached to the application. You can get these photos taken at Rite-Aid, Walmart, and other stores with photo services;
- Make a copy of each side of your Employment Authorization Document, even if it’s expired. Make a copy of your approval notice of action (I-797). You will need to submit these with your application to confirm that you have been granted deferred action in the past;
- Get a check or money order for the filing fee of $495, which must be made out to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
- Once your application, documentation, and passport photos are put together and ready to go, make a copy of the entire filing for your records;
- We encourage you to come to have someone review your application before sending it.
- Mail your renewal application and all the documents in one piece to:
Chicago Lockbox, if you are in Washington (varies by mail courier):
| U.S. Postal Service |
USPS Express Mail/Fed Ex/UPS |
|
USCIS Chicago Lockbox Facility USCIS P.O. Box 5757 Chicago, IL 60680-5757 |
USCIS Chicago Lockbox Facility USCIS Attn: DACA 131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517 |
If you reside in another state, please check the filing address on the USCIS website.
For a printable checklist of required documents, please visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
You will have to adhere to all the same requirements that were in place in your initial application, including:
Required forms:
- I-821D (typed or in black ink)
- I-765 Application for Work Authorization
- I-765WS
- Form G-1145 (optional)
Other requirements:
- Two Passport style photos
- $495 check or money order made out to Department of Homeland Security
- Proof of identity
- Proof that you came to the United States before your 16th birthday
- If you once had immigration status, proof that that status has expired
- Proof that you continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007 and that you were present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012
- Proof of student status, high school diploma, GED certificate or military service
- Criminal records (please contact an attorney if you have criminal records)
inding financial assistance to cover the $495 cost can be tough. Below is a list of local and national organizations who may be able to provide you with assistance.
Consulado de México en Seattle
The Mexican consulate is currently providing financial assistance with the $495 DACA application fee to Mexican nationals. In order to apply for these funds, you have to go to an in-person interview Monday through Friday, anytime between 8:30 am and 2 pm.
Please take the following documents with you to the Mexican consulate:
- Birth certificate (Mexican)
- Identification (state ID or license)
- DACA work authorization card
- Social security provided through DACA
- Proof of address (mail, etc.)
Dreamer Lending Circles at Progress 21 Seattle, WA
Progress21 organizes lending circles of Dreamers to help pay for DACA fees. They advance the funds, and dreamers pay it back monthly while building their personal credit history. Lending circles are interest free.
A nonprofit organization on a mission to create a fair financial market place for hard working families.
This website has a list of organizations providing financial assistance for people who can renew DACA.
There are several efforts underway to provide Free Legal Clinics to help with the paperwork. For updates, you can follow the WA Dream Coalition and the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network.
Your DACA is valid until it expires. DACA and work permits (employment authorization documents, or EADs) will remain valid until their expiration date. To determine when your DACA and work permit expire, look at your I-795 Approval Notice and the bottom of your EAD.
Yes! Due to the recent change in law, you can apply for new DACA status now.
Yes. If you have received DACA before but it expired before September 5, 2016 and you did not renew, then you may renew your expired DACA by filing an initial DACA application with supporting documents that establish you are eligible for DACA. Please consult with a Center attorney for support with your DACA application.
If your DACA expired on or after September 5, 2016 but you did not renew, then you may renew your expired DACA by filing a renewal DACA application.
No. Based on the Court’s Order, the eligibility requirements for DACA have not changed. However, that does not mean that it is safe for everyone to renew their DACA. The circumstances listed in the bullet points below could trigger enforcement action - it is very important to consult with an attorney if any of the following applies to you:
- You have had any contact with police or the courts, including arrests, convictions, or any other criminal issues;
- You have had any contact with immigration authorities, including detention, deportation, or removal from the United States; or,
- You have moved and changed your address since your last DACA application.
USCIS will process it as normal due to the new law change.
A variety of counseling services are available to undocumented students and members of the Columbia Basin College who may be affected by the news of DACA ending.
The State of Washington allows students, regardless of immigration status, to enroll in public colleges and universities. CBC continues to enroll students regardless of immigration status based on Washington law (HB 1079). Current and former DACA grantees and undocumented students are able to enroll at if they meet residence and graduation requirements under HB 1079.
Washington has a “tuition equity” law called HB 1079 and Columbia Basin College has policies allowing students who attended high school for a certain number of years in the state and who meet other criteria to qualify for in-state tuition rates, regardless of their immigration status. Current and former DACA grantees and undocumented students who meet these criteria can continue to pay in-state tuition rates. Eligibility for students losing DACA would not change in the state of Washington.
Yes. There are several local and regional legal resources that students can consult. They include:
- Student Legal Services
- Immigrant Family Advocacy Project
- Colectiva Legal del Pueblo
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
