DACA and Undocumented Student Services

DePauw recognizes the challenges that students with personal or family immigration concerns face and the impact they can have on students' ability to complete their education, access opportunities and feel a sense of community. To that end, DePauw's Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides the following direct support, advocacy and educational opportunities for our campus community.

student support 

Current students - Students who have personal or family immigration concerns and need assistance with academic issues, financial aid or other University issues can connect the CDI for personal and confidential support. The CDI can serve as an advocate in students navigate processes with faculty members, staff members, the Petitions Committee and other committees and offices on and off campus. 

Prospective students - DePauw welcomes applications from all prospective students. Any student who has questions about applying to DePauw and their immigration status should contact Loutfi Jirari, Associate Dean for Student Academic Life and Director of International Recruitment. You can find additional application information for prospective students in DACA status and prospective students in undocumented immigration status on these webpages.

You can find Loutfi in Admission and Financial Aid, located in the Emison Building at 204 East Seminary Street, at loutfijirari@depauw.edu or (765) 658-4547. 

Institutional level – Center for Diversity and Inclusion staff participate in strategic planning to provide proactive support to DACA and Undocumented students, as well as provide ongoing diversity and inclusion educational programming for all of campus.

Legal resources

Dec. 7, 2020 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an update regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (USCIS DACA page). In compliance with the order of a United States District Court, effective Dec. 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.

• going to take the 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.

Aug. 21, 2020 USCIS’ implementing guidance on the July 28 memorandum regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy of Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf. Highlights:

• USCIS will reject all initial DACA requests from aliens who have never previously received DACA without prejudice and return all fees

• USCIS will continue to accept requests from aliens who had been granted DACA at any time in the past and will also accept requests for advance parole that are properly submitted

• USCIS may only grant advance parole for travel outside the United States to DACA recipients for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit in keeping with the governing statute

• In all cases, aliens are still subject to immigration inspection at a port-of-entry to determine whether they are eligible to come into the United States. Parole into the United States is not guaranteed

National Legal Immigration Directory Search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. 

Immigrants Rising Legal Intake Service Immigrants Rising has a free, anonymous, and online Immigration Legal Intake Service to get information about eligibility for immigration remedies.

Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis - Free information, resources and events for Mexican citizens, including free legal services three days a week. 

Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic of Indianapolis - Provides a wide range of free and reduced cost immigration, family and other legal services. 

Safety Planning Guide - This resource from the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic provides recommendations for undocumented individuals and families to be prepared if they or a family member are detained or deported.

Map of Indiana's legal aid immigration organizations - Those that providing free or reduced cost legal services.

National Immigration Legal Services Directory - The National Immigration Legal Services Directory is a joint project of the Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net. 

Educational Resources

Know Your Rights (variety of resources) - Learn about individuals are and are not required to do during interactions with law enforcement or federal agents. This resource includes a printable, wallet-size reference card.

How to Be Prepared for an Immigration Raid Information from the National Immigration Law Center

Recent Questions and Answers about DACA under President Trump's administration.