La Casa Cultural Latina

Led by law professor Lauren Aronson, the Immigration Law Clinic in the College of Law represents non-citizen clients in a multitude of immigration matters, including: affirmative applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for immigrant victims of crimes, for abused, abandoned or neglected children, for individuals seeking asylum, permanent residence status or naturalization; for defense in removal proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review; and in appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals. For more information, contact the Immigration Law Clinic at law-clinics@illinois.edu or 217-244-9494 to set up an appointment. 

University YMCA New American Welcome Center 

The New American Welcome Center provides legal assistance on family-based immigration matters and humanitarian immigration relief. NAWC is accredited to provide legal advice on immigration issues and prepare immigration forms.  

International Students and Scholar Service 

International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) assists with visas and status change for visa holders who are students, visiting scholars, staff, and faculty. ISSS provides individual advising, education, support for sponsoring units, and outreach programs.  

ALAS Support Group 

ALAS is a confidential group for undocumented students on campus. Led by the Undocumented Student Support Mentors, ALAS supports a community space where students feel comfortable to share their experiences, network, and socialize with other students in similar experiences. Contact undocumented@illinois.edu for more information.  

Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students Education (I-CAUSE)  

I-CAUSE is a registered student organization whose mission is to create an alliance of undocumented students at UIUC for representation, resource gathering, and access to postsecondary education. For more information, contact I-CAUSE at icauseuiuc@gmail.com.  

La Colectiva 

La Colectiva is a student organization at the University of Illinois that exists to address the challenges faced by the immigrant community within Champaign-Urbana. Their mission is to advocate social justice and change on behalf of all immigrants through grassroots initiatives. For more information, contact La Colectiva at lacolectivarso@gmail.com.  

Ally Training 

Undocumented Student Ally Training provides staff, administration, and faculty information that will allow them to better serve the undocumented student at UIUC. This training is led by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, La Casa Cultural Latina, the Immigration Law Clinic, and the Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students’ Education

Fall 2024 Undocumented Student Ally Training 

• Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 1:00PM-4:00PM  
• Register at: http://go.illinois.edu/UndocuAlly  
• Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 
• This event is part of the Welcoming Week 2024 hosted by the New American Welcome Center.  

Spring 2025 Undocumented Student Ally Training 

• Monday, April 7, 2025 at 1:00PM-4:00PM 
• Registration Opens: Monday, February 3, 2025 
• Registration Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025 

Undocumented Student Support Services provides one-on-one or organizational consultations for free. Campus employees who have questions about supporting undocumented students can schedule an appointment at undocumented@illinois.edu. Staff are available to provide consultation about accessible scholarships, student employment, legal assistance, mental health, academic and social support, and career development.  

Who is an undocumented student? 
An undocumented student is a person who lives in the United States, but who does not have official legal status as either a citizen or as a legal permanent resident. Many undocumented students were brought to the U.S by their parents when they were very young and may even consider themselves to be American because they have grown up and attended schools in the U.S. Some undocumented students may not even be aware of their legal status for various reasons. 

How will I know if a student is undocumented? 
Many undocumented students and their parents are understandably cautious about revealing their status to others including school officials. However, if you believe that a student may be undocumented, you can indicate that they can feel secure that any information they share with you will be kept confidential. Undocumented students can benefit from seeing information for them in various spaces without having to identify themselves. 

If a student has a social security number, does that mean he or she has legal status? 
A student could be in possession of a social security number and not have legal status. 

Individuals who have been approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs may apply for a social security number, but they are not considered permanent legal residents and are NOT eligible for Federal financial aid. It is important to note that some undocumented students might believe that they have valid social security numbers that might have been obtained from sources other than the Social Security Administration. 

How does an undocumented student’s legal status affect his or her chances of admission to the University of Illinois? 
The majority of colleges and universities in the U.S consider undocumented students for admission. At Illinois, an undocumented student's legal status does not impact their admission decision. However, tuition rates differ for in-state and out-of-state residents. Some non-citizens, including undocumented students, may be eligible for in-state tuition, although they do not qualify for Illinois Commitment. 

Should undocumented students self-identify in the admissions process? 
FERPA regulations protect the privacy of the student records, including admissions applications, at all colleges and universities. It is up to each student to disclose their legal status as they see fit. They should not be encouraged to disclose this information as it is a personal choice. 

If a non-citizen student would like to be considered for in-state tuition, they will need to follow the instructions provided by Undergraduate Admissions.  

What if a student is a citizen, but their parents are not? Are they eligible for financial aid? 
Students who are citizens are eligible for many types of financial aid, even when their parents are not citizens. Students from mixed-status families (where parent or siblings is not a citizen) may experience a variety of challenges when navigating higher education. The Undocumented Student Support Services is available to assist mixed-status students as well as undocumented students. Contact undocumented@illinois.edu for more information.  

Are there funds to cover DACA/TPS renewals?  

While there is no funding currently allocated to help pay for DACA or TPS renewals, Undocumented Student Support Services works to identify funding sources when possible to alleviate this cost. For more information, email undocumented@illinois.edu.   

Can Undocumented students be employed on campus?  

Students with work permits are able to be employed through either on-campus and off-campus jobs, with the exception of federal work study or other federally funded positions. Students who do not have work permits (fully undocumented individuals) are not eligible for employment.  

How many undocumented students are at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign? Does the university protect my personally identifiable student education records? 

The University of Illinois does not track of students who identify as Undocumented, DACAmented, TPS or mixed-status. Therefore, we are unable to know how many undocumented students attend at the University of Illinois. Moreover, student data is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which guarantees students access to their educational records and prohibits dissemination of educational records without the student’s consent. 

The following are state and national laws or policies that shape the support available for undocumented individuals on campus.  

HB 60 (aka Acevedo Bill, In-State Tuition Bill): 

Illinois House Bill 60 became law in May 2003. Under HB 60, undocumented students are considered Illinois residents to receive in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities as long as they meet certain criteria: 

1. attended an Illinois school for at least three years prior to graduating or receiving the equivalent of a diploma; 

2. graduated from an Illinois high school or received the equivalent of a diploma in Illinois; 

3. resided with parents or guardians while attending an Illinois high school; and 

4. for those applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., provided the University with an affidavit stating the applicant will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.  

For more information about enrolling and in-state tuition, visit the Undergraduate Admissions Resources for Undocumented Students page.    

The RISE Act 

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act was signed into law June 21, 2019 by Governor J.B. Pritzker. The RISE Act makes undocumented students who are Illinois residents eligible for state financial aid and benefits at public institutions in Illinois, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This state aid includes Illinois MAP grants as well as other institutional aid including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance. Learn more about the Alternative Application for the MAP grant on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission page.  

Undocumented Student Liaison and Center Bill 

Illinois House Bill 3438 (110 ILCS 305/120), signed into law in September 2021, directs public universities in the state to designate an employee to serve as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison. The designated employee would be responsible for helping students without documentation to access financial aid and other academic support. A list of Undocumented Student Liaisons at Illinois higher education institutions can be found on the Illinois Board of Higher Education webpage.  

IL Dream Act 

The Illinois Dream Act was signed into law on August 1, 2011 by Governor Pat Quinn. Illinois is the first state in the United States to create a private scholarship fund for undocumented students, and this law makes scholarships, college savings, and prepaid tuition programs available to undocumented students who graduate from Illinois high schools. It also allowed for the creation of the Illinois Dream Fund and the Illinois Dream Fund Commission who are actively seeking funds to award more scholarships and funding opportunities to undocumented students in Illinois. Learn more on the Illinois Dream Fund page.  

Legal Updates 

On August 24, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security released a final rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which preserves and fortifies the existing DACA program with minor changes. The name, eligibility criteria, application process, and cost remain the same as the current DACA program. However, due to the July 2021 Fifth Circuit decision, USCIS is still not processing initial applications for DACA and the granting of initial DACA requests remain suspended. 

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Officers on University of Illinois Property - January 2020 

Can the University of Illinois prevent federal immigration enforcement officers from coming on campus or entering campus buildings and other university property? 

t depends. As a public, land-grant institution, a large portion of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus is open to the general public. Federal immigration enforcement officers may enter these areas open to the general public without a warrant. 

However, public access is limited in certain areas of the University of Illinois campus and property. Included in this category of limited access spaces are campus buildings in which access is restricted by university-issued ID card (i-card), locked doors or monitored entryways, including university residence halls. Limited access spaces also include some buildings and spaces that may be unlocked during normal operations, including administrative or faculty offices, classrooms, and research laboratories. 

It is important to note that ICE or federal officials from the Department of Homeland Security may be on campus for reasons unrelated to enforcement actions. As part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) through the Department of State, in which many International students participate, the university is required to report certain information about F-1 or J-1 visa status students to ICE, as it is an agreed upon part of SEVIS reporting. This reporting is routine, and the university is required to comply with on-site visits to review records when requested. 

In what situations can federal immigration enforcement officers enter limited access, nonpublic areas, including residence halls? 

Federal immigration enforcement officers are required to have a criminal arrest or search warrant to lawfully enter limited access, nonpublic areas without consent. Most often, immigration officers who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants are not signed by a judge and do not authorize officers to enter limited access areas without consent. 

What should staff members do if a federal immigration enforcement officer asks for access to a residence hall or other limited access area? 

If a federal immigration enforcement officer asks for access to a residence hall or other limited access area, University employees should inform the immigration officer that University policy requires you to consult University of Illinois Police and the Office of University Counsel (Legal Counsel) for assistance. 

As outlined in the Campus Administrative Manual Policy BF-10: “Unless otherwise directed by the Office of University Counsel (Legal Counsel), Legal Documents received by all System and University offices at Urbana-Champaign and relating to University business must be delivered immediately to Legal Counsel…. If the law enforcement officer is present on site, immediately call University Police…and notify them of the law enforcement officer’s presence.” 

University employees should ask the immigration officer for their name, identification number and agency affiliation. Ask the officer to wait, and immediately call University Police at (217) 333-1216 and notify them of the Immigration officer’s presence. Call Legal Counsel at (217) 333-0560 for instructions on responding to the request. 

Will the University of Illinois Police Department work with federal immigration officers to apprehend and remove individuals from campus? 

No. The University of Illinois Police Department will not ask anyone about their immigration status, and UIPD does not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status. UIPD also does not act on detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Champaign County Jail does not hold individuals affected by ICE detainers. 

The only time officers are required to take immigration enforcement action is when a judge has signed a warrant, but UIPD would not typically be involved in immigration enforcement under normal circumstances. In other situations not related to immigration, officers may inquire about an individual’s country of origin to notify their consulate of an arrest, but that inquiry does not include questions about immigration status. 

The University of Illinois Police Department clarified UIPD’s role in immigration enforcement in a February 2017 statement, which describes their long-standing practices. Additionally, Illinois state law prohibits law enforcement from acting on federal detainers or stopping, arresting, or searching an individual based solely on immigration status (5 ILCS 805/-Illinois TRUST Act). As of June 21, 2019, the Keep Illinois Families Together Act (5 ILCS 835) officially prohibits state and local law enforcement in the state of Illinois from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE. 

Can a student refuse to allow a federal immigration enforcement officer to enter a residence hall room? 

Yes. A residential hall room is considered a limited access area and cannot be legally accessed by immigration enforcement officers without a valid criminal warrant or the voluntary consent of the occupant. A student need not allow entry to any law enforcement officer who is not in possession of a criminal warrant, regardless of what that officer might say. 

Can federal immigration enforcement officers enter off-campus apartments? 

Not without a criminal warrant or consent. A student’s rights are the same regardless of whether they live in on campus university housing or in an off-campus apartment. A student need not allow entry to any law enforcement officer who is not in possession of a criminal warrant, regardless of what that officer might say. 

Individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes, both on and off campus. A warrant of removal/deportation (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warrant) is a civil or administrative warrant and is not signed by a judge. Administrative warrants do not authorize officers to enter a home without consent. If an immigration officer has a civil or administrative warrant, Undocumented students have a personal choice whether to grant consent to enter their residence. However, if a law enforcement officer has a criminal search or arrest warrant signed by a judge, the officer does not need consent to enter the apartment or arrest an individual named in the warrant. 

In all cases, individuals have the right to the remain silent under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and do not need to answer questions, or sign or provide any documents without a lawyer present. The University of Illinois provides legal support for students through the Immigration Law Clinic in the College of Law. 

What should staff members do if a federal officer asks for or presents a subpoena for personally identifiable private information or records about a student or employee? 

Faculty or staff who receive a request from a federal officer for any information about a student should contact the Office of University Counsel for assistance. Personally identifiable educational and university health records are protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a university employee, you are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records.

If you receive a request for personally identifiable information or records, or if a federal immigration enforcement officer gives you a warrant or subpoena seeking such records, before providing any information, you should confirm that you are authorized to provide access to the specified records or information. Ask the officer for their name, identification number and agency affiliation; ask for a copy of any warrant or subpoena presented, inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact the Office of University Counsel for assistance, and call (217) 333-0560 for instructions on responding to the request. 

How are international students and scholars affected? 

International students and scholars are affected differently. According to the Department of Education, the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) permits institutions to comply with information requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to comply with the requirements of the SEVP program. However, the information that can be requested and provided is limited to the categories listed in DHS regulations, and that request must be made to a campus Designated School Official (DSO). For other information, international student records are entitled to the same FERPA protection that otherwise governs student education records in the United States. 

If you are not a Designated School Official (DSO), you should refer any DHS or ICE request for information about an international student to the DSO and the Office of University Counsel. 

What should I do if I am uncomfortable calling the University of Illinois police? 

The University of Illinois provides additional resources for members of our community who may feel uncomfortable calling or approaching the University of Illinois Police. Anyone with emergency issues should still call 911, but those with non-emergency safety concerns may also contact these offices: 

• Student Assistance Center, Office of the Dean of Students: (217) 333-0500 

• Counseling Center, Student Affairs: (217) 333-3704 

• Immigration Law Clinic, College of Law: (217) 244-9494 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Executive Order (June 2012)

Department of Homeland Security Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals FAQ

Open Illinois: Resources for Undocumented and DACA Students

Dear students, community, & colleagues,

As President Killeen said “The University of Illinois System has earned a place as a global leader in education and discovery by opening our doors wide to the most talented students – and that includes our undocumented students.” We are happy to announce that the new Open Illinois website is live. This resource website provides undocumented and DACA students information and tools that will ensure their success at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. It is meant to highlight resources, services, and provide answers to both incoming and current students.

Sincerely,
La Casa Cultural Latina

US Supreme Court Ruling on DACA

June 18, 2020

La Casa Cultural Latina stands with our Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students, faculty, staff, and all those who are impacted by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that will permit DACA recipients to continue their renewals and have work authorization and temporary protection from deportation. The Supreme Court decision is consistent with La Casa Cultural Latina's commitment to provide an accessible education to all students. Supporting DACA and undocumented students is in direct accordance with the University of Illinois' vision and goals to foster diversity on campus. La Casa Cultural Latina strives to raise awareness across campus of the issues facing DACA and undocumented students so that the University of Illinois becomes an inclusive environment where students can gain the access, support, and guidance they need to prepare for civic engagement and productive careers upon graduation.

As the MassMail sent by Chancellor Jones earlier today states:

"In the past few months, we have become acutely aware of how interconnected each of us is, and of the renewed imperative that actions align with what we stand for. We must act in ways that protect the most marginalized among us, dismantle systems that exclude and oppress, and as a university we must fight fiercely to protect the dreams and humanity of each and every one of us. The success of our university rests firmly on the principle of inviting the best and brightest into our community and supporting their capacity to thrive. The skills, imagination, and determination that DACA recipients bring to our community represents the best of who we are as a university."

We will continue to work with our peers in the state of Illinois as well as national organizations to determine our next steps as we continue to advocate for DACA and undocumented students. For updates on immigration policies and other resources for undocumented students on campus, please visit Open Illinois.

If you are in need of support during this time, please reach out to La Casa Staff (lacasa@illinois.edu).

-La Casa Cultural Latina