California Relay for Education Teach-In
Manual Arts High School
August 14, 2008
Right to Education
Everyone has the right to
education.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 26.
Right to Education

Right of everyone to education

Education should work to increase the respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Undocumented Students

The term “undocumented” groups
all students who are not born in
the U.S. and are not permanent
residents, or have student visas.

Unauthorized immigrants,
temporary asylum beneficiaries,
people who overstayed their visas.

The vast majority of these students,
however, did not choose their
status.
The Issue:
Around 65,000 undocumented
students graduate from U.S.
high schools each year.
About 40% of those students are
from California.
Given their immigration status,
the majority of these students
will face strong hardships to
get their college degrees.
There is no currently existing
legalization process that
acknowledges undocumented
college students.
Politics: How we got to this point?

How we got to this point:
 1982: Plyler v. Doe
 1986: Leticia a v. UC regents & CSU
board of regents.
 1991: Bradford v. UC regents
 1996: IIRIRA - Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act
 2001: Out-of-state tuition exemption
for California high school students
(AB540)
 2006: Institutionalized aid for AB540
students (vetoed)
undocumented students representing at
May 1st Rally 2006
What is AB540?

AB540 was signed into law in California on October of
2001

AB540 applies to California colleges, and public
universities

AB540 applies to students that meet the necessary
requirements

Allows students to pay in-state tuition, same as any
California resident.

Similar laws extend to states such as:
WA, UT, NE, KS, OK, TX, NM, NY, y IL
What does it mean?



Three years at a CA
high school.
Valid high school
diploma or
equivalent (GED)
Signed affidavit
presented to the
school of
enrollment.
What is an Affidavit?




Contract between school and
students
Student states he or she will
apply for legal residency when
given the chance
Student’s privacy protected by
federal law under Educational
Rights and Privacy Act
Submit along with official high
school transcripts
Tuition Expenses
Institution
California
rate
(After AB540)
Out of State Rate
(Before AB540)
Community
Colleges
$20
$194
Cal State
University
$3,051
$11,010
University of
California
$8,300
$28,900
Don’t be Sccurred!



The impact of Family
Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974
Privacy of student
records and his/her
records
The UC affidavit as a
legal, secret document
at the university
You have
Privacy Rights!
Immigration Status Concerns
Questions regarding naturalization or
legalization procedures should be directly
addressed with a credible, affordable lawyer,
or law professional.

Scholarships

Scholarship providers have their own eligibility
requirements. Make sure to obtain current
information by contacting each provider
directly.

Use an ITIN (will be further explained)

Scholarship monies are limited.
Do not rely heavily on these.
Scholarships

Begin looking for scholarships as early as
possible. Search within your school, school district
and local community.

Find creative ways to fund your education (i.e. ask
family members, teachers, local business or large
companies)

Network. Get to know current AB540 support
groups in high school, community and the college
you will be attending.
ITIN Number
( Individual Tax Identification Number)

ITIN numbers can be used on various forms, but does
not replace SSN#!
To get an ITIN:
1. Prove you are a foreigner
2. Prove you currently live in the U.S.
3. Need 2 forms of ID (i.e. school ID, national IDmatricula)
California DREAM Act
Would grant Institutional Financial Aid to
undocumented students in California:
(loans, grants, scholarships)
Senate Bill 1301
Assembly Bill 2083
The Federal DREAM Act
Congress
introduction
 Legal stipulations
 Conditional
Permanent
Residence

Provides Path to
Legalization for
students
“As a documented student, I
want to fight so that all students
have the right to higher
education”
“My family’s
status has also
affected the
way I make
goals and how
high I allow
mysef to
dream.”
The student psyche
“I find that my days are
exhausting, but I know that
the harsh sacrifices that I
make today will yield a
better future for myself and
my loved ones.”
“my life as a student has been
difficult due to the fact that I am
an illegal alien. It was difficult
finding people who understood
my situation.”
Top 10 talking points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
You are not alone.
Deceiving cost numbers.
Scholarships are out there.
Education is in your best interest.
The path is not always clear.
Hard work is more rewarding.
Prepare your family.
Be resourceful.
Be persistent.
Don’t be afraid to expose yourself.
How to get involved!

Participate in the Power & Unity Coalition breakfast
held every 2nd Friday of the month. Contact Ana
Grande at ana@powerpac.org

Print the petition sheet at and get 15 of your friends to do the
same http://cadreamact.org/assets/GeneralPetitionSheet.pdf

Make calls to your CA Representative in SUPPORT
of the CA Dream Act
How to get involved!



Have your local churches, organizations,
businesses, and chamber of commerce sign the
letter of support.
Sign the Online-Petition :
http://www.petitiononline.com/SB1301/petition.h
tml
Join CHIRLA On-line. Get action alerts,
information, and news: http://www.chirla.org/
How To Get Involved!
Submit your own video testimonial urging the Governor
to sign the California Dream Act .
Log onto You Tube and check out other submissions
http://youtube.com/user/TheCADreamActNOW




Spread the word! Knowledge is Power.
Tell your family, friends, neighbors what you learned!!!
Make Change!!!
How To Get Involved!



Start your own AB540 club on campus
Start your own Human Rights Club
Join us on MySpace or Facebook!
Resources @ MAHS campus:
 SCGA Student Coalition
 Human Rights Club
See You In College!!!
Q&A